Iván García Pérez, a 26-year-old Cuban nurse, was unexpectedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on November 7th during a routine appointment in Miramar, Florida. This arrest occurred on the very day he received approval to take the NCLEX exam, the final step needed to obtain his professional license in the United States.
The arrest has ignited a wave of outrage and support among the Cuban and academic communities across South Florida. Fellow students from Miami Regional University have taken to social media, posting a video demanding his release and condemning what they perceive as an unjust detention.
"Iván has done nothing but study, sacrifice, and strive within the bounds of the law. We are outraged because he is a model individual who chose the difficult but righteous path of hard work," stated his cousin, Rubén Enrique Banegas Pérez, in a video shared on the social platform X.
According to Banegas, Iván was taken into custody without any apparent reason, despite meeting all immigration requirements and having no criminal record or infractions.
"Iván is not a criminal. He is a normal, calm person who only wanted to improve himself. Today, he is scared, far from his family, and we are devastated, unable to comprehend how such a thing could happen," Banegas wrote in a message to journalist Mario J. Pentón of Martí Noticias.
The family maintains that Iván holds an I-220A immigration status, which allows for supervised release while his case is being processed by immigration authorities. "Everything was in order," Banegas emphasized, appealing to congress members and public figures to prevent his deportation.
The Uncertainty Faced by Cuban Immigrants
Iván García's detention comes at a time of mounting tension for over 400,000 Cubans residing in the U.S. under the I-220A status, a legal limbo that leaves them vulnerable to arbitrary arrests.
Immigration attorney Willy Allen has highlighted the "enormous danger" this category poses, noting recent deportations of Cubans with I-220A, even without final expulsion orders. Although Allen suggests this status might eventually be recognized as a parole, allowing beneficiaries to apply for the Cuban Adjustment Act, he warns that the legal process "might leave victims along the way."
Meanwhile, Iván García's family insists that his detention is baseless and fears his return to a reality he left behind in search of freedom and opportunity.
"We demand justice, humanity, and his immediate release," his cousin expressed, assuring that Iván only wishes to continue contributing to the healthcare system of this country he dearly loves.
As they await a decision about his future, this young nurse's story highlights the profound uncertainty faced by thousands of Cubans who, like him, simply aspired to study, work, and build a life in freedom.
FAQs about Cuban Immigration Challenges in the U.S.
What is the I-220A immigration status?
The I-220A status grants supervised release to individuals while their immigration cases are processed. It does not provide a permanent legal status, leaving individuals vulnerable to detention.
Why is the I-220A status considered dangerous?
The I-220A status is considered dangerous because it lacks permanent legal protection, exposing individuals to potential detention and deportation despite having no final removal orders.
How has the community reacted to Iván García's detention?
The community has responded with outrage and solidarity, with fellow students and the Cuban community in South Florida demanding his immediate release and denouncing the detention as unjust.