Elienay Estrada, a Cuban national holding an I-220B, recently became a mother in Fort Myers, Florida. Her infant, Ainhoa, is merely two months old. Despite being married to a U.S. permanent resident and having filed a family reunification request in January, she faces the imminent threat of deportation to Cuba next week. A similar fate befell Heidy Sánchez Tejeda in April, who was separated from her American husband and 18-month-old daughter despite a pending family reunification request. Approval came only after her deportation, delaying her return to the U.S. indefinitely.
In a conversation with CiberCuba, Estrada shared that she had attended her annual meeting with ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) this month, leaving optimistic with a scheduled appointment for the following year. This routine has persisted since her arrival in the U.S. in February 2020 with an I-220B, which includes a deportation order, after her asylum request under the MPP (Migrant Protection Protocols) was denied in 2019 during Donald Trump's first term.
However, her relief was short-lived. She soon received a sudden summons from ICE for an urgent meeting on Tuesday, June 24. In a state of anxiety, Estrada sought legal counsel, with all advising her that this meeting was likely to execute the deportation order. In this urgent situation, she has struggled to find legal representation willing to accompany her to the June 24 ICE appointment. Her goal is to request permission to remain in the U.S. while her family reunification process is resolved, considering her role as a mother to a newborn.
Estrada has family in Cuba but insists on her right to live with the family she has built in the United States, including her husband and daughter. She remains undecided about whether to take her baby to Cuba if deported. Estrada wrestles with conflicting emotions, not wanting to subject her child to the hardships in Cuba but also feeling that her baby belongs with her, wherever that may be.
Elienay Estrada's situation is not unprecedented but adds to the frustration of the Cuban community, facing mass deportations by a Republican administration largely supported by the exiled population in Florida.
FAQs on Deportation and Family Reunification for Cuban Nationals
What is an I-220B?
An I-220B is a document issued by ICE that includes a deportation order, indicating that the holder is subject to removal from the United States.
What challenges does Estrada face with her ICE summons?
Estrada faces the risk of deportation despite her pending family reunification process and her status as a new mother. She struggles to find legal representation to advocate for her right to remain in the U.S. during this process.
How does Estrada's situation reflect broader issues within the Cuban community in the U.S.?
Estrada's case highlights the challenges faced by Cuban immigrants under current U.S. immigration policies, particularly the impact of mass deportations by a Republican administration that many in the Cuban exile community supported.