Yandy Gómez Rodríguez, a Cuban immigrant who has resided in the United States for eight years while attempting to legalize his status through official channels, has been held in a Louisiana ICE facility since May 16. His detention has left his wife and young daughter in a state of emotional and legal uncertainty.
Yandy was apprehended during a routine appointment with ICE in New Orleans, a procedure he had undergone at least ten times before. Despite having no criminal record and being married to a U.S. citizen with whom he shares a two-year-old daughter, authorities chose to detain him without prior notice, according to his attorney, Robert W. Goeke of Casey Cowley law firm.
"He showed up for his appointment, just as he has done many times before, and ICE decided to detain him. We are uncertain about what comes next," Goeke remarked. Yandy's situation highlights the uncertainty that many Cubans face, even when adhering to established immigration processes, as they encounter increasingly stringent measures amid a tightening U.S. immigration policy.
His wife, Dianna Heredia, is struggling to keep their household afloat while dealing with the anxiety of a potential deportation. "My daughter constantly asks when her dad is coming home," she tearfully shared. "During video calls, she pleads with him, ‘Come on, Daddy, come get me.’"
Yandy, who worked in the heating and air conditioning sector, was diligently working to meet all the requirements for legal status. His situation illustrates how current immigration policies can drastically impact Cuban families who have established lives in the U.S. and are simply seeking stability and a brighter future.
"I tell him, the only thing that would make me happy now is for you to be released so I can hug you," Dianna expressed. Meanwhile, the family clings to the hope of a favorable resolution that will reunite them. However, like many Cubans in the diaspora, hope is intertwined with uncertainty in a system that seems to turn its back even on those striving to do things "the right way."
Another Cuban Father Faces Deportation Risk
Yandy's case is not unique. Orlando Delgado, another Cuban father of a seven-month-old baby, was detained on June 25 after attending an immigration court appointment in Florida, despite having an asylum application due to the reprisals he faced following the July 11, 2021, protests in Cuba.
From Broward Detention Center, Delgado recounted that ICE detained him without warning and without the opportunity to defend his case, even though he had a pending "credible fear" review.
"They simply closed the court and ICE detained me," he reported. His wife, Mercedes Estévez, fears for his life if he returns to Cuba. "He was monitored, threatened, and now they want to send him to Mexico," she said, distressed and unemployed, while caring for their newborn alone.
Both cases underscore an alarming trend: Cubans with no criminal records, who have built families in the U.S., are facing arbitrary detentions even when complying with legal processes.
Understanding Cuban Immigrant Detentions
What led to Yandy Gómez Rodríguez's detention by ICE?
Yandy Gómez Rodríguez was detained by ICE during a routine appointment in New Orleans, despite having no criminal record and being in the process of legalizing his status through official channels.
Why is Orlando Delgado at risk of deportation?
Orlando Delgado is at risk of deportation after being detained by ICE, despite having a pending asylum request due to the dangers he faced following his participation in protests in Cuba.
How are current U.S. immigration policies affecting Cuban families?
Current U.S. immigration policies are impacting Cuban families by imposing stricter measures, leading to detentions of individuals without criminal records who are in the process of legalizing their status.