In 2017, Cuban refugee Yoendrys Leyva made his way to the United States just months after the "wet foot, dry foot" policy ended. Now, he's pleading with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) not to deport him and separate him from his family, who rely on him for survival.
A video sent to journalist Mario J. Pentón unveils the ongoing struggles of a family caught between medical crises, hospital stays, and the constant fear of detention. Leyva explains that after entering the country illegally, he was processed and issued a final order of deportation (I-220B), compelling him to report regularly to immigration authorities over the years.
Struggles of a Family in Crisis
Despite being a hardworking individual with no criminal record, Leyva finds himself on the brink of detention due to recent immigration enforcement measures. He is the sole breadwinner for his household, which includes his youngest daughter, born in Tampa in 2020. The child was diagnosed with severe cerebral palsy following a seizure soon after her premature birth at six months.
The little girl cannot hold her head up, walk, or eat by mouth, relying instead on a feeding tube. Frequent seizures have confined the family to months in intensive care and hospitals across Georgia.
A Mother’s Plea for Help
“Here is my family... I am the support of this house. What would happen to them if I get deported?” Leyva lamented. “My daughter is very sick; she needs me. We do not want to become a public burden.” His wife, Ana María Leyva, a legal resident since 2019, also pleaded for help on camera. Unable to work due to their daughter's condition, she explained that without her husband, who also looks after their other two children, they would be left with nothing. Two of the children are U.S. citizens.
“We beg not to be separated,” she said. “I only come home one weekend a month because I live in hospitals with my daughter. If they detain my husband, my family is left with nothing.”
Hope in Uncertain Times
The family has pursued all possible legal avenues, including a family petition (I-130), immigration waivers, and pending processes with USCIS. Yet, the threat of detention looms large. Leyva recounted that during a recent appointment in Atlanta, an ICE agent admitted their initial intention was to arrest him but reconsidered upon seeing his daughter's condition.
He returned to Savannah with orders to come back with all necessary documents, heightening the family's anxiety. However, an update from journalist Mario J. Pentón revealed that during a Thursday call with Ana María Leyva, it was confirmed that Yoendrys was not detained at his ICE appointment. Authorities allowed him to return home and continue working as his immigration case progresses.
While the family experiences a temporary sense of relief, their situation remains precarious and uncertain. Their story echoes the struggles of many Cubans who arrived after the end of the "wet foot, dry foot" policy and now face deportation orders, evolving immigration policies, and the moral and human impossibility of leaving behind those who depend on them for survival.
Key Questions on Immigration and Deportation Risks
What is the "wet foot, dry foot" policy?
The "wet foot, dry foot" policy allowed Cubans who reached U.S. soil to stay and apply for residency after one year, while those intercepted at sea were returned to Cuba. This policy ended in January 2017.
How does a final order of deportation affect an immigrant?
A final order of deportation means the immigrant is required to leave the United States. If they fail to do so, they must report regularly to immigration authorities and face the risk of detention and forced removal.
What legal options are available for families facing deportation?
Families can file petitions for family reunification, apply for immigration waivers, and pursue legal processes with USCIS to seek relief from deportation. However, the success of these options can vary based on individual circumstances.