Cubans who arrived in the United States during the 1980s and have pending deportation orders are currently being detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Many of these individuals are now held at the Krome Detention Center in Miami-Dade, Florida, as reported by Cuban journalist and host Juan Manuel Cao on AméricaTeVe during an interview with immigration attorney Ángel Leal.
During their discussion, Cao disclosed that several Cubans have been apprehended at Krome due to deportation procedures that have been unresolved for decades. Leal affirmed this information, emphasizing the seriousness of these situations, explaining that these individuals face significant risks if sent back to Cuba.
"They are in danger because they have spent many years living in the United States," Leal explained. "Depending on their work here, their family ties, their statements to the press, and their political activism, they could be detained upon arrival in Cuba." He highlighted that deported Cubans would confront an unfamiliar reality and potential human rights violations, including being subjected to interrogations to extract information about their activities in the U.S. "All these individuals are valuable sources of information for the regime," he warned.
Additionally, deportation would mean the loss of Social Security benefits, despite many having worked for decades in the U.S.
Why Could Some 1980s Cuban Immigrants Not Legalize in the U.S.?
The recent detention of Cubans with deportation orders dating back to the 1980s has sparked surprise on social media. "It's absurd that they have been here since the '80s and have not legalized their status," commented one user. However, another pointed out that many of these migrants encountered legal obstacles upon arrival.
During the Mariel boatlift and other maritime exoduses, numerous Cubans committed crimes in the United States, preventing them from seeking permanent residency or citizenship. Immigration laws stipulate that individuals with criminal records cannot regularize their status.
Furthermore, for decades, the Cuban regime refused to accept some deportees, leaving them in a state of immigration limbo. They remained in the U.S. without the possibility of being expelled but also unable to legalize their status. Now, with deportations to the island resuming, these old orders are being enforced. After more than 40 years in the country, many could be sent back to a Cuba they no longer know. Their stories highlight a persistent human tragedy.
The Lack of U.S. Follow-Up on Deported Cases
Attorney Leal explained that once a person is deported, the U.S. government does not follow up on their cases. "The authorities ensure that the immigrant's documents are in order for deportation, that they can board the plane to their country of origin, and the moment they set foot on Cuban soil, the United States considers the case closed," Leal stated.
Once on the island, deported individuals are at the mercy of the Cuban regime, facing not only the rupture from their life in the United States but also potential reprisals, interrogations, and violations of their fundamental rights.
Without protection or oversight from U.S. authorities, their future is uncertain and, in many instances, extremely perilous. This new wave of deportations reignites a human drama for individuals who, despite having spent decades building their lives in the United States, now face the possibility of displacement and the threat of political persecution in a homeland that is foreign to them.
Key Questions About Cuban Deportations from the U.S.
Why are Cubans from the 1980s being deported now?
The deportation of Cubans from the 1980s is due to the reactivation of old deportation orders that had been pending for decades. This is occurring as the U.S. resumes deportations to Cuba.
What risks do deported Cubans face upon returning to Cuba?
Deported Cubans may face significant risks, including the possibility of detention, interrogation, and human rights violations due to their long-term residence in the U.S., past statements, and political activities.
How does the U.S. handle deportation cases after a person is sent back to Cuba?
Once a person is deported, the U.S. government does not follow up on their case. They ensure the deportee's documents are in order and that they board the plane, but responsibility ends once they reach Cuban soil.