Cuban Couple with I-220A Shares Experience at ICE Appointment in Miramar: "With God Leading the Way"

A pair of Cuban migrants holding the I-220A form shared their experience at an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) appointment in Miramar, Florida, noting that the meeting went smoothly without any incidents or detentions. "Everything went well, thankfully," the woman said during an interview alongside her partner, who echoed her sentiments, stating, "Everything was perfect." They urged fellow Cubans in similar situations not to be afraid. "Attend your appointment as usual and move forward," the man advised. The woman added that they have been given a new appointment date for the following year, expressing confidence by saying, "With God leading the way."

Their story was posted on social media by Cuban influencer Dairon Cano, who interviewed the couple after their appointment at the ICE center. According to their account, no one present that day was detained. The couple expressed gratitude for the opportunity to reside in the United States, describing their daily lives filled with work: he is a manager at FedEx, and she is employed at BJ’s. "Thank you for everything you do for us," they told Dairon, who emphasized that these are honest, hardworking Cubans who "deserve to live on American soil."

Positive Reactions Amidst Uncertainty

The video has sparked a wave of positive comments on social media. Many users have expressed appreciation for sharing such experiences, which stand in contrast to recent incidents involving the detention of Cuban migrants at immigration appointments or court hearings, even when they have no criminal records.

Notable among these cases are the arrests of Denis Durán Águila and Elmer Sánchez López in Miami, captured in a viral video where a mother pleaded on her knees with officers not to take her son away, and Orlando Delgado, who was detained after attending his appointment in Broward despite having a pending asylum request due to "credible fear."

Immigration experts and religious leaders like Miami Archbishop Thomas Wenski have voiced concerns about the precariousness of the I-220A status and condemned the widespread criminalization of hardworking people with no criminal history. Recently, Wenski criticized the treatment of migrants who are simply trying to regularize their status.

The I-220A form, given to tens of thousands of Cubans after crossing the southern border, allows for release on parole while their process continues but does not confer legal status or offer protection against deportation. In many instances, judges have denied its use for applying under the Cuban Adjustment Act, leaving many in a state of uncertainty. Additionally, the recent approval of new immigration fees under the Trump administration has significantly increased the cost of procedures, making legal defense for migrants even more challenging.

In this context, similar stories have been shared on social media by Cubans attending their ICE appointments or court hearings and leaving without incident, though widespread fear persists. Testimonies like that of the couple in Miramar provide messages of reassurance to many. "Don't be afraid," they insisted, reminding others that "doing things right" can make a difference.