The aspiration for family reunification, which drives countless Cubans to embark on long and complicated migratory journeys to the United States, has become, for some, a painful tale of frustration and hopelessness. This sentiment resonates strongly with Liadys Madrazo, who shared her experience with Telemundo 51, encapsulating her frustration and disbelief with the words: “We followed the rules and did everything legally... yet we are the ones being punished.”
A Legal Path That Ends in Rejection
Liadys began the family reunification process with the hope of bringing her parents to the United States, where she currently resides legally. Everything seemed to be proceeding according to the established migration process: forms, interviews, and legal procedures were meticulously completed. Her mother, a homemaker, was approved for a visa without issue. However, her father's journey took a different turn.
At 60 years old, Liadys' father faced additional scrutiny. The reason was not due to any documentation error or failure to meet requirements, but rather something more systemic: his employment with a Cuban state enterprise. As part of the process, he was required to complete a form clarifying whether he had been a member of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC). Fourteen months later, the family received an unexpected response: his visa was denied.
“This is my father. He’s a man who has worked his entire life as a technician. He has never harmed anyone. He just wants to be with his grandchildren,” Liadys lamented.
Pattern of Exclusion
The Madrazo family’s case is not unique. According to immigration attorney Joana Soler, from the law office of renowned lawyer Willy Allen in Miami, at least seven Cuban families have recently experienced similar denials. “We are talking about people who simply practiced their professions in Cuba. They weren’t political figures or propagandists... they were employees,” Soler explained.
The attorney has identified a pattern in these denials: employment history in Cuban state institutions, such as the Ministries of Health or Education, is deemed sufficient grounds to question applicants' eligibility. The professions in question include doctors, nurses, teachers, and technicians—public sector workers performing essential roles within Cuban society. U.S. immigration authorities cite past ties to the Communist Party or the Cuban state apparatus as reasons for deeming an individual inadmissible.
An Inconsistent System and Emotional Consequences
“The current immigration policy aims to be more organized and consistent. However, what has occurred here illustrates the opposite: inconsistency. These individuals are being treated as threats merely for having worked within their country’s state system,” Soler criticized.
In the face of such denials, some applicants are advised by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to file Form I-601, also known as a waiver of inadmissibility. However, this option is not always feasible or morally acceptable for those affected.
“Requesting a waiver implies admitting wrongdoing,” the attorney clarified. “But if you filled out the forms truthfully and stated that you were never a member of the Party, asking for forgiveness would contradict that and could appear as though you lied,” she added.
Confronted with this ethical and legal dilemma, Soler has opted for a different strategy: presenting evidence supporting her clients’ professional and civic lives, emphasizing that working for the Cuban state does not equate to active involvement in the political regime.
Professionals or Political Adversaries?
USCIS decisions spark a deep debate over the scope of criteria used to evaluate Cuban applicants' eligibility. In practice, working for the Cuban state—the only legally authorized employer for decades—has been unavoidable for millions of citizens. Penalizing someone for this professional past may constitute, according to migration rights advocates, a form of systemic discrimination.
This approach contradicts the very essence of the family reunification program, which aims to provide legal and secure pathways for Cubans to reunite with their loved ones in the United States.
Hope as Resilience
As reconsideration forms are submitted and evidence accumulates in legal files, families endure a wait filled with uncertainty, pain, and unfulfilled hopes. The emotional dimension of these processes, often overlooked, emerges powerfully in Liadys’ words: “We don’t want privileges, just justice. We just want to be treated with humanity.”
Stories like hers expose the flaws within the immigration system, particularly in contexts like Cuba, where state employment has been a norm rather than a political choice.
In a historical moment when the United States seeks to redefine its policy towards Cuba, these denials highlight the challenges Cubans continue to face, even when they choose to abide by the law and follow legal avenues. Currently, there is no official information on how many people might be affected, but estimates suggest around 200 individuals could be in this situation. USCIS maintains that visa acceptance or denial is at the discretion of the officers.
Understanding Cuban Family Reunification Challenges
Why are some Cuban family reunification visas being denied?
Visas are being denied primarily due to applicants' past employment with Cuban state enterprises. This association raises concerns about potential ties to the Communist Party, which can lead to inadmissibility under U.S. immigration policies.
What options do families have if their reunification visa is denied?
Families can appeal the decision by submitting Form I-601, a waiver of inadmissibility, although this may not always be a viable or acceptable option. Alternatively, presenting evidence of the applicant's professional and civic life might be another strategy.
How does working for the Cuban state impact visa eligibility?
Employment with the Cuban state is often scrutinized due to potential political affiliations. Despite being the only employer for many, such work history can be used to question an individual's eligibility for a visa, underlining a systemic issue in the reunification process.