Víctor Manuel Izquierdo is among the 82 Cubans forcibly returned to the island on Thursday, April 24. In the United States, he leaves behind his entire family: his mother, Sandy Peralta; his grandmother, Delfina Torres, to whom he is very close; and most importantly, his American citizen wife, Zunami Pérez Alonso, along with their only child, a one-year and nine-month-old baby.
In an interview with CiberCuba, Zunami Pérez Alonso implores for a reconsideration of her husband's case, emphasizing that Víctor has no ties in Cuba—no family, no home. Yet, in America, he leaves everything he holds dear, including his son. "It didn’t matter that he had family here in the U.S. I ask for compassion. No one wants to go through this," she expressed to CiberCuba.
Víctor entered the U.S. through the Mexican border in 2019 as a minor and was issued an I-220B document. He consistently attended his annual ICE appointments alongside his mother. However, after turning 21 in August 2024, he was detained in Tampa on March 28, 2025.
"He had a pending marriage petition, a job, no legal issues, no criminal record. He is very upright. He entered this country as a minor. We hoped they would consider all these factors to let him stay while awaiting his marriage petition, as he always complied with everything," his wife explained through an audio message.
Until his unexpected arrest and deportation, Víctor worked for a solar panel company and led a stable life with his wife, maintaining steady income and up-to-date taxes. However, he also faced financial obligations such as household bills, car payments, and expenses related to their son's birth. Now, Zunami must shoulder these responsibilities alone.
"My husband always played with our child; he was constantly showering him with love. Now he's gone. Within 24 hours, he was deported to Cuba, and I was left in the dark about his whereabouts. I didn’t know if he was still here or already sent off, nor when his flight was scheduled or when he would arrive in Cuba. I only discovered he was in Cuba after tracking his phone through the service provider, which confirmed it was no longer in the U.S.," Zunami added.
"I plead for mercy, for some empathy towards people without criminal records, who are simply working and striving for a better future. My husband has no future where he's been sent. He has no family, no home, no support whatsoever there," she concluded.
Key Questions on Deportation and Family Impact
What are the implications of Víctor Manuel Izquierdo's deportation for his family in the U.S.?
Víctor's deportation leaves his family in the U.S. facing significant emotional and financial challenges, as his wife now has to manage all financial responsibilities alone while coping with the absence of her husband and the father of her child.
Why is Zunami Pérez Alonso appealing for a reconsideration of her husband's case?
Zunami is appealing because Víctor does not have any support system or family in Cuba, and she believes his deportation was unjust given his lack of a criminal record and his efforts to comply with U.S. immigration processes.
How did Víctor Manuel Izquierdo initially enter the United States?
Víctor entered the United States through the Mexican border in 2019 as a minor and was issued an I-220B document, allowing him to remain in the country under specific conditions.