The stringent immigration measures reintroduced by Donald Trump in his second term have once again impacted the Cuban community in the United States. This time, the individual affected was Yasmani Guía Pablo, a native of Havana who was earning a living as a Lyft driver in Texas. Despite holding an I-220A, a temporary administrative document that allows many Cubans to stay in the country while awaiting their legal status determination, Guía was apprehended in Williamson County, Georgetown, during his work shift.
His wife, Elizabeth, a U.S. citizen, has publicly claimed that the arrest was marred by abuse and racial bias. In an interview with journalist Javier Díaz from Univisión, she recounted how a police officer falsely accused her husband of being intoxicated, which she immediately refuted as she was on the phone with him at the time of his arrest. "She insists her husband Yasmani is a Christian who writes music for his church, and does not consume drugs or alcohol," Díaz shared on Facebook. Elizabeth is demanding a thorough investigation to prevent her husband from being unjustly deported.
On his Facebook profile, Guía Pablo identifies himself as a musician, singer, author, and composer. Now, he faces the threat of deportation, years after illegally entering the United States in search of a new life away from his homeland, ruled by a dictatorship for more than six decades.
Mounting Persecution of Cubans with I-220A
Yasmani's situation is not an isolated incident. Recently, there has been a surge in the detention of Cubans with I-220A status, victims of a policy shift that criminalizes even those without criminal records who adhere to their legal responsibilities. Just weeks ago, Rogelio Lázaro González Moya, a 26-year-old Cuban, was detained in Miami after attending his initial immigration hearing, despite his case being dismissed. He has since been transferred among detention centers in Florida, Texas, and Arizona, ultimately being held in Eloy, Arizona. His family reports he was shackled during long transfers, exposed to extreme temperatures in so-called "freezers," and deprived of adequate food.
Similarly, a young Cuban woman residing in Phoenix was arrested after leaving her job, despite having a valid work permit. After a month in detention, she was released wearing an electronic ankle monitor, illustrating the extent to which current policies penalize individuals merely awaiting residency approval. Additionally, journalists have documented numerous raids in Miami immigration courts, resulting in the arrest of dozens of Cubans with I-220A.
The Political Context
The escalation of these measures directly aligns with Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, promising to halt illegal immigration upon his return to the White House. However, in practice, the crackdown affects migrants striving for legalization. For Cubans with I-220A, they seek refuge under the Cuban Adjustment Act, a historical measure recognizing the plight of island migrants as victims of a dictatorial regime. Far from being criminals, many are employed, paying taxes, and patiently awaiting their hearings. For them, each raid, arbitrary detention, and deportation threat is a stark reminder that even after fleeing repression in Cuba, they face persecution under an immigration system denying them stability.
The Cuban community in the United States watches with growing concern as cases like Yasmani Guía Pablo's become increasingly common. Their future, along with that of thousands of compatriots with open cases, now lies in the hands of an immigration system seemingly more focused on demonstrating toughness than delivering justice.
Understanding the Impact of Immigration Policies on Cuban Nationals
What is the I-220A document?
The I-220A is an administrative document that allows certain migrants, including Cubans, to remain in the United States temporarily while they await a decision on their legal status.
Why are Cubans with I-220A being targeted?
The increased targeting of Cubans with I-220A is part of a broader policy shift aimed at cracking down on immigration, which often disproportionately affects migrants seeking legal status, like those under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
How do these policies affect the Cuban community in the U.S.?
These policies instill fear and uncertainty within the Cuban community, as individuals with open immigration cases face potential detention and deportation, despite their efforts to comply with legal processes.