The number of Cubans with an I-220A immigration status being detained in the United States is on the rise, a direct result of the stringent policies promoted by former President Donald Trump. The latest case involves Pastor Michel Roque Armas, originally from Pinar del Río, who was apprehended in San Antonio, Texas, during a routine appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Although the arrest occurred three months ago, his family has chosen to speak out now after receiving a deportation order issued last Friday by an immigration judge.
Roque's wife, Rosmery, expressed to Univision journalist Javier Díaz that such a measure would be devastating for her, as she would be left alone in the country with their five-year-old daughter. She emphasized that her husband is "a good man" with no criminal record in the United States.
Immigrant Criminalization Under Scrutiny
Roque's situation is not isolated; it mirrors the plight of many other Cubans holding an I-220A who have come under ICE's scrutiny in recent months. While the I-220A does not grant residency, it has allowed thousands to remain legally in the U.S. as they await a resolution of their status and the potential to apply for the Cuban Adjustment Act. However, the recent uptick in raids and arrests suggests a deliberate strategy to target those attempting to regularize their status, even if they have no criminal background.
Just this Monday, the detainment of Yasmani Guía Pablo, a Lyft driver in Georgetown, Texas, was reported. He was arrested while on the job, accused of being intoxicated—a claim his U.S. citizen wife vehemently denied, characterizing the incident as racially motivated. Yasmani, a Christian musician and composer, now faces the threat of deportation.
Stories of Hardship and Injustice
Similar narratives abound. Rogelio Lázaro González Moya, 26, was detained in Miami after attending his first immigration hearing. Since then, he has been moved to various facilities in Florida, Texas, and Arizona, enduring harsh conditions, including prolonged shackling, confinement in freezing cells, and inadequate food.
In Phoenix, a young Cuban woman was apprehended after leaving her job, despite having a valid work permit. She spent a month in detention before being released with an electronic ankle monitor. Her story underscores how even those who comply with legal requirements are subjected to severe consequences under current policies.
Miami journalists have documented numerous instances where ICE has conducted sweeps at immigration courts, arresting dozens of Cubans with I-220A status as they exited their hearings, illustrating that fulfilling legal obligations does not necessarily offer protection.
The Political Agenda Behind the Actions
The intensification of these measures is not coincidental. It is part of Trump's agenda during his second term, characterized by a crackdown on illegal immigration that has disproportionately affected Cubans. Despite the Cuban Adjustment Act's acknowledgment of Cuban migrants as victims of dictatorship, many live in constant fear of deportation. Their contributions as workers, taxpayers, and law-abiding residents seem irrelevant under a system that appears to prioritize immigration status over actual criminal behavior.
Michel Roque Armas's case exemplifies this paradox: a family man who fled Cuba's oppressive regime, now facing expulsion from a country he hoped would offer refuge. The Cuban community watches with growing concern as this pattern of persecution unfolds, reinforcing the perception that, rather than being protected as political refugees, I-220A holders are treated like criminals in a nation historically seen as a haven for those fleeing the Island.
Frequently Asked Questions about I-220A Detentions in the U.S.
What is the I-220A immigration status?
The I-220A is a document that allows individuals to remain legally in the United States while they await a decision on their immigration status. It does not grant residency or guarantee protection from deportation.
Why are Cubans with I-220A being targeted by ICE?
Cubans with I-220A are being targeted as part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy that intensified under the Trump administration, focusing on those seeking to regularize their status, regardless of their criminal record.
How does the Cuban Adjustment Act relate to I-220A holders?
The Cuban Adjustment Act allows Cubans to apply for permanent residency after one year in the U.S. The I-220A status helps them remain in the country legally while they wait for this opportunity.