Iván García Pérez, a 26-year-old Cuban nurse, has spoken out from the Alligator Alcatraz detention facility, expressing gratitude for the support he's received and detailing the hardships he's faced since being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
His heartfelt message, shared via a phone call with Univision journalist Javier Díaz, highlights the precarious legal situation faced by thousands of Cuban migrants holding I-220A status.
"I want to thank everyone supporting me out there. You don't know what it means to have that support," Iván said, his voice filled with emotion.
"It's very tough to be locked up here, but knowing that [support] gives me strength to keep going, to resist, and to stay hopeful about getting out," he added.
The Emotional Toll of Detention
Visibly affected by his circumstances, Iván expressed a deep longing to reunite with his loved ones.
"I'm desperate to hug my family, my wife, to see my friends and university classmates again and tell them how much they mean to me. Thank you so much from the bottom of my heart," he concluded.
Iván García was arrested on November 7 during a routine ICE appointment in Miramar, the very day he received authorization to take the NCLEX exam, the final step to obtaining his nursing license in the United States.
Community Outrage and Support
His sudden arrest sparked outrage within the Cuban community and among his peers at Miami Regional University, who have condemned the arrest as "unjust."
Iván's story mirrors that of countless young Cubans striving for personal and professional advancement in the U.S.
According to his cousin, Rubén Enrique Banegas Pérez, in a video posted on social media platform X, Iván has no criminal record or immigration violations.
"All Iván has done is study, sacrifice, and strive within the bounds of the law. We are outraged because he is an exemplary person who has chosen the difficult but right path: effort and hard work," Banegas said.
In a subsequent message to journalist Mario J. Pentón, his cousin reiterated the family's distress: "Iván is not a criminal. He's a normal, calm young man who just wants to better himself. Today, he's scared, far from his family, and we are devastated, not understanding how this could happen."
Legal Limbo of I-220A Status
Iván García holds an I-220A immigration status, a form of supervised release not recognized as parole, placing beneficiaries in a legal gray area.
Although he had met all requirements and was compliant while awaiting case resolution, he was detained without clear explanation.
"Everything was in order," his cousin emphasized, calling on legislators and public figures to prevent Iván's deportation and demand his immediate release.
"We demand justice, humanity, and his immediate release," he stressed.
Iván's detention underscores the growing fear among more than 400,000 Cubans in the U.S. under the same status.
Immigration attorney Willy Allen has warned that the I-220A poses a "significant danger" to its holders, as it does not provide real protection against deportation, even if there's no final removal order.
Allen explained that while this status might eventually be recognized as a parole—allowing holders to seek relief under the Cuban Adjustment Act after a year and a day—the legal process is lengthy and will likely "leave victims along the way."
Understanding the I-220A Status and Its Implications
What is the I-220A immigration status?
The I-220A is a form of supervised release for migrants that does not equate to parole, leaving individuals in a legal gray area without full protection against deportation.
Why was Iván García detained by ICE?
Iván García was detained during a routine ICE appointment despite having met all legal requirements and awaiting case resolution, highlighting the risks faced by those with I-220A status.
How has the community reacted to Iván García’s detention?
The community, including Iván's peers and family, has expressed outrage and support, condemning the detention as unjust and calling for his immediate release.