Álvaro Zapata Inza, a Cuban doctor with a specialization in Comprehensive General Medicine, has been detained since June 11, 2025, at the South Texas Detention Complex under the authority of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Having entered the U.S. three years ago through the I-220A immigration process, he is now terrified of being sent back to Cuba, where he could face severe consequences for abandoning a medical mission in Brazil.
In a WhatsApp conversation with a friend residing on the island, Zapata expressed his desperation, stating, "If I am deported, I'll end my life," a message accessed by CiberCuba. This friend, using the name Abigaíl Corzo, shared with CiberCuba that Zapata Inza fled from his medical mission in Brazil over three years ago. After a grueling journey through South America, he reached the Mexican border and sought asylum in the United States, eventually gaining entry with an I-220A. Now, his fate hangs in the balance.
From Cuba, his friend Abigaíl has voiced deep concern over the lack of updates and the very real threat of Zapata's deportation. "He calls me from the detention center. I'm in Cuba, helpless to assist him there, and he has no family to advocate for him. That's why I reached out to CiberCuba, hoping someone could intervene," she explains.
"I no longer know where to turn. I'm desperate. His return to Cuba would mean a life sentence, a controlled existence without the freedom to travel or practice his profession with dignity," Abigaíl Corzo adds.
Zapata Inza's situation mirrors that of another Cuban doctor reported by this outlet in June, who also faced detention in Texas after leaving a medical mission. These instances highlight a troubling pattern: Cuban physicians fleeing state control only to find themselves trapped in U.S. immigration uncertainty, devoid of protection or legal assurance.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, CiberCuba published a story where Dr. Zapata detailed his departure from Cuba and his life in Brazil fighting COVID-19, before deciding to move toward the United States. Now, five years later, he finds himself in the news again following his arrest in San Antonio, Texas. Like countless other Cubans with I-220A, Dr. Zapata is facing the closure of his asylum case and potential deportation.
Exiled Cuban doctors are hesitant to comment on Zapata's case until it is confirmed that he was not involved in the leadership of missions known for exploitation or coercion. CiberCuba has reached out to ICE requesting an interview with Zapata Inza, but had not received a response at the time of publishing this article.
Key Questions About Cuban Doctors and U.S. Immigration
Why are Cuban doctors fleeing their missions?
Cuban doctors often flee their missions to escape the oppressive control and exploitation by the Cuban government. These missions are sometimes seen as a way for the state to profit from their skills while imposing strict restrictions on their freedom.
What is the I-220A immigration form?
The I-220A form is a type of immigration document in the U.S. that allows individuals to remain in the country temporarily under certain conditions, often while they await the outcome of their asylum cases.
What are the potential consequences for Cuban doctors deported back to Cuba?
Doctors deported to Cuba can face severe repercussions, including professional ostracization, restricted travel, and even imprisonment, due to their status as defectors from government-sponsored programs.