Longtime Cuban Resident in U.S. Faces Deportation After 21 Years

The family of Jesús López Rodríguez, a 61-year-old Cuban who has lived in the United States for over two decades, is going through a nightmare. Following six months of detention by immigration authorities and a recent deportation order, his elderly mother, who relies heavily on him and is deeply distressed, pleads for him not to be sent back to Cuba, a country he hasn't seen in 21 years.

The case was brought to light by MLive, where his mother expressed her deep sorrow, stating, "I am very sad because he is a very good son and community member. He does not deserve what is happening to him."

Community Roots and Disputed Deportation

Jesús arrived in the U.S. in 2004 through the Cuban visa lottery, approved by the American Embassy in Havana. Since then, he has been an active member of the Flint community, where he started a small food business and spent years making Cuban pizzas at cultural events, volunteer efforts, and youth activities.

A local resident shared with flint.daily.810 how Jesús once convinced his picky teenage son to try a pizza he made, which the boy ended up loving. From that moment on, whenever they met at community events, the youngster would ask to see "Jesús the pizza guy" again. This memory, as the author notes, encapsulates who Jesús is: approachable, kind-hearted, and always ready to help.

Detention and Allegations of Inhumane Conditions

Jesús was apprehended by ICE on June 2 while driving to work. He has been held at the Calhoun County Correctional Center in Battle Creek ever since. Family members, advocates, and the Flint Alliance for Immigrant Rights (FAIR) have reported severely unsafe and inhumane conditions:

• Lack of medical care for a prostate condition that prevents him from urinating for days,
• Untreated scalp infections,
• Isolation as a response to medical requests,
• No glasses to read legal documents,
• Limited access to phone calls and communication with his attorney.

A close friend told MLive, "Sometimes, when he wakes up, the wall is covered in blood from those infections. Instead of treating him, they isolated him."

FAIR has also condemned the poor quality of food, unsanitary conditions, and severe medical neglect. "No one should endure this level of abuse. We need to act to bring Jesús home," stated Lucine Jarrah, a member of the coalition.

Deportation Order and Urgent Appeal

On December 2, an immigration judge ordered his deportation to Cuba. The family has 30 days to appeal, but they fear that ICE may execute the expulsion before the legal process can proceed.

Advocates argue that sending back a Cuban who left legally over 20 years ago, amid the island's current economic and political crisis, poses a risk to his life and safety, especially as a deportee from the U.S.

Friends and community leaders maintain that Jesús is no threat to anyone. Over a decade ago, he served time for a non-violent marijuana-related offense, and since then, he has maintained a clean record, working, cooking for volunteers, and supporting community programs.

"Our community cannot remain silent while a legal permanent resident is torn from his family," declared Asa Zuccaro, director of the Latinx Community and Technology Center.

FAIR has launched a fundraising campaign and a state letter of support to demand his release, access to medical care, and an investigation into the reported conditions.

The organization stated, "Our community has the power to protect our neighbors. Please support Jesús and his family."

Journalist Patrick Hayes, in a local publication, warned that cases like this reflect a federal policy that "traumatizes entire communities without enhancing anyone's security." "It is indefensible from any moral or human perspective," he wrote.