On September 16, life took an unexpected turn for Mariela Baullosa in San Antonio, Texas. Her husband, Alberto Martínez, a 30-year-old Cuban national, attended a routine appointment with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and never returned. Since that day, the 21-year-old mother has been raising their newborn daughter by herself. "He was all I had," she tearfully told Univisión News San Antonio. Their baby, Kimberly, was just a month old when ICE summoned Alberto over supposed issues with his electronic monitoring bracelet.
"On the 15th, which was the baby's one-month milestone, they called him… He went in on the morning of the 16th and never came back," Mariela recounted. Alberto had arrived in the United States in 2022 after crossing the Rio Grande and turning himself in to immigration authorities. According to Mariela, he has no criminal record, held a work permit valid until 2030, and was in the process of legalizing his status through marriage to Mariela, who is a legal resident.
Despite these efforts, Alberto remains in ICE custody at a detention facility in Texas, awaiting a hearing scheduled for October 29. The uncertainty hangs over the family: "My husband was our financial support because, unfortunately, I am still unable to work. The baby is still breastfeeding, and here in this country, I have no family—he was all I had," Mariela confessed.
In desperation, Mariela turned to a San Antonio Facebook group, posting a plea for legal help: "I need a lawyer to advise me on my husband, who is detained by ICE."
Recurring Struggles for Cuban Immigrants
The situation faced by Mariela and Alberto is part of a broader trend of Cuban families being torn apart during immigration processes in the U.S. In Arizona, Harold Luis Navarro was detained after work and has yet to meet his newborn. In Florida, a Cuban mother found herself alone with her days-old baby when her husband was moved to a newly opened deportation center. In more severe cases, like those of Heidy Sánchez or Deivy Alemán, deportations have led to irreversible separations from young children who are U.S. citizens.
Activists and attorneys warn that the lack of transparency and the discretionary power of ICE contribute to an atmosphere of insecurity among Cuban immigrant families. Beyond the statistics, the recurring theme is one of pain: young mothers left alone, children without fathers, and families broken overnight.
Key Questions about the Impact of ICE Detentions on Cuban Families
What are the main challenges faced by Cuban families detained by ICE?
Cuban families often face separations, financial instability, and emotional distress due to detentions. The lack of transparency and discretionary actions by ICE create a climate of uncertainty and fear.
How does ICE's discretion affect Cuban immigrant families?
ICE's discretionary power can lead to arbitrary detentions, leaving families without critical support and causing emotional and financial hardships.
What legal options do families have when a member is detained by ICE?
Families can seek legal assistance from immigration attorneys to explore options such as bond hearings or appealing deportation orders, though outcomes can be uncertain.