A 21-year-old Cuban, known as R. V., successfully convinced an immigration judge that returning to Cuba would endanger his life. Despite winning his case and securing protection against deportation, he remains detained in a California facility run by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
His ordeal was highlighted by the Los Angeles Times, a digital platform that delves into global politics, migration issues, and human rights by utilizing official documents and firsthand accounts.
In 2024, R. V. fled Cuba after joining anti-government protests. He recounted being jailed, monitored, and pursued by authorities. During his journey through Mexico, he was kidnapped, and upon reaching the U.S. border, he sought asylum.
A judge granted him withholding of removal, a legal status that prevents his deportation to the island due to the risks he faces. With this ruling, he anticipated reuniting with his family in Florida, yet ICE has not released him or provided reasons for his continued detention.
The young man claims that immigration officers have warned him that if deportation to Cuba isn't feasible, they will seek another country to accept him, mentioning Panama or Costa Rica as possibilities.
Attorneys quoted by the Los Angeles Times suggest this scenario marks a significant shift under the Trump administration. They point out that ICE no longer automatically releases individuals who earn deportation protection. The agency's internal policy now favors keeping them detained as the government appeals decisions or attempts to send them to third countries, even when these individuals have no ties to those nations.
Migrant advocacy groups warn that this approach punishes those who have already proven they would face persecution or torture if returned to their homeland. Lawyer Jennifer Norris emphasized that those who win their cases end up being treated like criminals, trapped in a limbo that can last for months or even years. She added that the protections granted by a judge become meaningless when ICE persistently seeks alternative deportation routes.
The report also highlights similar situations. Among them is the case of Ngựa, a Vietnamese youth granted protection due to torture risks but still detained while ICE attempts to relocate him to another country.
Additionally, it mentions a woman from Sierra Leone deported to Ghana and then sent back to her home country despite a judge's prohibition.
Another instance involves F. B., a Colombian woman who spent over eight months in detention while authorities claimed her release was imminent. A federal judge ultimately ordered her liberation, concluding that the prolonged detention lacked justification.
For those behind bars, uncertainty is a constant burden. Some detainees reported that every morning an officer walks through the dormitories asking who wishes to self-deport. The psychological pressure is relentless, and many fear spending years in this predicament.
Understanding the Challenges of Asylum Seekers in ICE Detention
What legal protection did R. V. receive against deportation?
R. V. was granted withholding of removal, which prevents his deportation to Cuba due to the dangers he would face there.
Why is ICE keeping R. V. detained despite his legal victory?
ICE has not provided a specific reason for R. V.'s continued detention, but immigration authorities have indicated they might seek to deport him to a third country.
How has the Trump administration affected ICE's handling of protected individuals?
Under the Trump administration, ICE's policy shifted to prioritize detaining individuals even after they secure deportation protection, while the government appeals or seeks alternative deportation options.