In a fortunate turn of events, Elienay Estrada, a young Cuban mother holding I-220B status, has received a temporary reprieve from deportation. Estrada, who has a two-month-old baby, attended an urgent meeting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that allowed her to remain in the United States for another year while her family reunification application is processed.
Estrada approached the emergency appointment with ICE on Tuesday with hope, especially since her annual appointment earlier this year had resulted in her documents being stamped with a date for 2026. However, she was soon contacted via text and email to return on June 24. Many attorneys she consulted believed her I-220B status implied an imminent deportation. Nevertheless, attorney Irma Yanet Ramírez agreed to represent her, filing a deportation stay last Wednesday on the grounds that Estrada is a mother of a young baby and has an ongoing family reunification process.
"I'm back home now. It was indeed for my deportation. Thankfully, the lawyer managed to buy us some time to file for a case reopening and see what we can do," Estrada shared with CiberCuba upon returning home. "It worked. They were going to deport me at this appointment, but now I've got another one scheduled for next year. We have this year, although they might call me sooner. Hopefully, that won’t happen," she added.
Estrada, who gave birth in Fort Myers just two months ago, feared she might suffer the same fate as Heidy Sánchez Tejeda, who was deported to Cuba in April, leaving behind a nursing child. Sánchez's case outraged the Cuban exile community, and Estrada's situation drew significant attention as a result. Estrada even reached out to her district's congressman, Republican Carlos Giménez, who pledged to assist despite the tight timeline (only five days before her ICE appointment).
Ultimately, Elienay Estrada has not been deported and now has a year to see if her family reunification is approved, allowing her to reopen her case and continue her life in the U.S. with her baby and husband.
Understanding the Implications of I-220B Status
What does I-220B status mean for immigrants?
I-220B status typically indicates an order of supervision for immigrants, often used when deportation is not immediately executable. It allows individuals to remain in the U.S. under certain conditions while awaiting further decisions on their immigration status.
How can a deportation stay be obtained?
A deportation stay can be requested by filing a motion with ICE or the immigration court, presenting reasons such as family ties or ongoing legal proceedings that justify delaying deportation. Legal representation is often crucial in successfully obtaining a stay.