What was supposed to be the start of a new chapter turned into a nightmare for former Cuban judge Yosniel Alginis Villalón López, 34, who found himself in handcuffs and behind bars in Buffalo, New York. Villalón was apprehended by U.S. immigration authorities while attempting to join his Canadian wife at the U.S.-Canada border. Despite believing they met the necessary immigration conditions, the couple was swiftly separated, and he was handed over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to a report by the Canadian outlet The Gazette.
Villalón previously served as a judge at the Provincial Popular Court in Havana, where he was appointed with ceremony at the Hall of Mirrors in the Museum of the Revolution in June 2021. During the ceremony, he pledged allegiance to the socialist constitution and donned the robe symbolizing his commitment to justice, as reported by the state-run Tribuna de La Habana.
However, on July 11th of the same year, Cuba experienced its largest anti-government protests in decades. Thousands of citizens, weary of hunger, repression, and neglect, took to the streets. It was then that Villalón decided to follow his conscience by refusing to convict protestors brought before his court. "The charges did not represent actual crimes," he stated. This act of defiance led to accusations of betrayal by the regime.
Under increasing pressure, facing intimidation and surveillance, Villalón was forced to flee. In 2022, he embarked on a perilous journey through South America to reach the United States, where he sought asylum and started afresh in Miami. By day, he cleaned courtrooms; by night, he worked in a beer warehouse. His life took a turn when he connected with Stéphanie Penta, a Canadian massage therapist and mother of two, on Instagram.
After several visits and deepening their connection, Yosniel and Stéphanie decided to marry in May 2025. The relationship blossomed, and she introduced her daughters to him, hoping to build a family together. Upon consulting a lawyer in Montreal, they believed they qualified for an exemption under the Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the U.S., which restricts asylum seekers from entering Canada if they have already passed through a "safe country" like the U.S. But their plans unraveled at the Lacolle border on July 2nd.
Within minutes, Yosniel was detained, isolated, and returned to U.S. soil. He has since been held at the ICE detention center in Batavia, New York, among more than 100 others in a communal dormitory. There, he sleeps, eats three meals a day, and listens to the sobs of those whose dreams of a new life have also been thwarted.
The Canadian government expressed skepticism regarding the authenticity of their marriage. According to both parties, the agents failed to examine documents, disregarded corrected dates, and ignored family photographs. "They were just looking for reasons to justify their preconceived notions about me," Villalón told The Gazette.
A deportation hearing in the U.S. is scheduled for late August. If sent back to Cuba, Villalón fears imprisonment for treason. His lawyer in Canada is striving to negotiate a legal pathway for his reentry to present his case. Yet, even if Canada consents, ICE must release him and allow him to post bail, an increasingly challenging task amid tightened immigration policies.
Meanwhile, Stéphanie juggles work, caring for her daughters, paying legal fees, and answering tough questions at home. "My younger daughter keeps asking, ‘When is he coming?’" she shares. But she has no answers.
Key Questions About Yosniel Villalón's Case
Why was Yosniel Villalón detained by ICE?
Yosniel Villalón was detained by ICE at the U.S.-Canada border while attempting to reunite with his Canadian wife, due to immigration issues despite believing they met necessary conditions.
What led to Villalón's decision to refuse convictions of Cuban protestors?
Villalón refused to convict protestors during the July 11th Cuban protests because he believed the charges did not constitute real crimes, which ultimately led to accusations of betrayal by the Cuban regime.
What are the potential consequences if Villalón is deported back to Cuba?
If deported to Cuba, Villalón fears he could face imprisonment for treason due to his refusal to convict protestors during the anti-government demonstrations.