Deivy Alemán Oropesa, a Cuban national, has returned to his home in Palmira, Cienfuegos, after choosing to self-deport from the United States to avoid forced removal by U.S. authorities. Previously residing in Orlando, Florida, with his wife and young daughter, Deivy shared the emotional turmoil of being separated from his sick child and facing an uncertain future in a video message.
"These are the hardest times of my life," Deivy revealed to Univision journalist Javier Díaz. "I haven't seen my daughter for three days, and I can't hold her or support her. We used to do everything together, from shopping trips to medical appointments," he explained.
He pleaded for assistance from lawmakers, hoping they could expedite his I-130 petition, filed by his wife, allowing him to reunite with his family before his daughter's next surgery. In a separate video shared by Telemundo 51's Alexis Boentes, Alemán Oropesa described his difficult decision to self-deport as a strategic move.
"I thought it would be worse if I stayed and was deported after several months. To return legally, based on my wife's petition, this seemed the best option," he detailed.
Struggles of a Family Torn Apart
One of Deivy's significant concerns is his inability to support his family financially from Cuba. "There's no work or way to earn money here to help them. I feel lost, and my daughter... she cries and asks for me. It's heartbreaking," he confessed.
Despite the Cuban community in the U.S. showing support, the emotional weight is overwhelming. "My wife is very distressed. We're worried about our daughter relapsing. She can't handle stress with her condition," Deivy shared.
Forced Exile: A Father's Story
The turning point for Deivy came on September 8th during a routine ICE appointment, where he was informed he must leave the U.S. by September 14th or face detention and deportation. "They told me I'd be detained and deported if I stayed, so I had to show proof of my voluntary departure," he recounted.
Having spent seven years in the U.S. as an Uber driver with no criminal record and paying taxes, Alemán Oropesa did not expect such a sudden outcome. His departure leaves both a financial and emotional void for his family. Their two-year-old daughter, a U.S. citizen, has already undergone multiple heart surgeries and requires further medical care. As his wife focuses on her daughter's health, Deivy was the family's sole breadwinner.
Humanitarian Concerns Overlooked
Despite medical evidence and letters from specialists, Deivy's departure was unavoidable. Attorney Rosaly Chaviano explained that under current policies, humanitarian factors are largely ignored for those under immigration supervision (form I-220B).
Journalist Javier Díaz, documenting the case from the start, criticized the system's inflexibility: "This is a tragic example where humanitarian reasons or being an exemplary immigrant mean nothing if there's a deportation order." Social media users expressed outrage over what they perceive as an inhumane decision, even creating a Change.org petition to halt the deportation, though time constraints were a challenge.
Hope Amidst Separation
The family's ray of hope lies in the approved I-130 petition, part of the family reunification process, which may eventually allow Deivy's return. "The hope I have is that the reunification petition my wife filed will come through while I'm in Cuba, and we can be together soon," Deivy expressed before his return flight.
For now, the family clings to the possibility that public pressure and legal proceedings will hasten their reunion. However, the separation has already taken its toll: this past Sunday, Deivy Alemán Oropesa left his wife and ill daughter in the United States to face what he describes as "the hardest times" of his life back in Cuba.
Key Questions About Deivy Alemán Oropesa's Situation
Why did Deivy Alemán Oropesa decide to self-deport?
Deivy chose to self-deport to avoid detention and forced deportation by U.S. authorities, hoping to return legally based on his wife's I-130 petition.
What challenges is Deivy facing in Cuba?
In Cuba, Deivy struggles with the inability to financially support his family, as there are limited work opportunities and he cannot send money to his wife and daughter in the U.S.
How is Deivy's family coping with his absence?
Deivy's wife is distressed, and they worry about their daughter's health, as she cannot handle much stress due to her medical condition.