In a recent interview with Tania Costa from CiberCuba, immigration lawyer Willy Allen addressed a prevalent myth within the Cuban community in the United States: the idea that deportations of Cubans are widespread and arbitrary.
"Look, we said they wouldn't deport Cubans, and see how many have been deported," Allen acknowledged, but he was quick to put these numbers into context. Out of the approximately 1.2 million Cubans who entered the U.S. between 2017 and 2024, only about 5,000 have been deported, a figure Allen describes as relatively small.
"1.2 million Cubans entered. Yes, some have been deported. Criminals, I don't think anyone should be surprised," Allen pointed out, emphasizing that the majority of those expelled have criminal backgrounds or lost their asylum cases.
Understanding the Profiles of Deported Cubans
Allen identified three primary groups among the deported Cubans.
The first group includes around 6,000 individuals sent to Mexico, with Allen estimating that "80% of them are criminals."
The second category consists of those on direct flights to Cuba. These individuals either entered after 2017, lost their asylum cases, failed to attend their hearings, or couldn't demonstrate a "credible fear," thus losing the opportunity to legally contest their case.
The smallest group involves Cubans with an I-220A form—a release order under recognition without a final deportation order—detained due to errors or poor decisions while entering through the CBP One humanitarian pathway. Allen was clear: "Yes, some I-220A holders have been deported. I'd say it's hundreds, not thousands."
The Significance of Immigration Forms
The distinction between the I-220A and the I-220B is crucial for understanding the real deportation risk for each Cuban. Those with an I-220B face a higher risk because they already have a final deportation order, whereas I-220A holders keep their cases open.
Official data supports Allen’s analysis. Since January 2025, the Trump administration has deported 1,901 Cubans, bringing the total to 5,286 over both terms, according to ICE records. So far in 2026, ICE has completed three flights with 403 Cubans deported.
Recent Developments and Challenges
Allen also noted two surprising recent developments. First, Mexico has accepted 6,000 deported Cubans under an unwritten agreement with Washington, leaving them in legal limbo in cities like Tapachula and Villahermosa, without documents or the ability to return to Cuba or the U.S. Second, the Cuban government has begun accepting even those with serious criminal convictions. On February 9, Cuba received a flight with 170 deportees, including at least 50 individuals with serious criminal records.
The broader picture reveals that over 42,000 Cubans have final deportation orders in the U.S., a situation historically resisted by the Cuban regime but now shifting under pressure from Trump.
For eligible Cubans, the Cuban Adjustment Act remains the primary protection, allowing them to apply for permanent residency after a year of presence in the U.S. without leaving the country. Allen has actively defended in court that the I-220A equates to a parole, potentially opening this opportunity to hundreds of thousands of Cubans.
"The number is minimal compared to the number of Cubans who have entered the United States, and the criminal deportees are minimal compared to the number of Cubans with final deportation orders living in the United States," Allen concluded, urging the Cuban community not to panic but to consult with an attorney if they have an I-220B or have lost an asylum case.
Common Questions About Cuban Deportations in the U.S.
What is the I-220A form?
The I-220A form is a release order under recognition without a final deportation order, allowing the case to remain open.
How many Cubans have been deported from the U.S.?
Approximately 5,000 Cubans have been deported from the U.S. between 2017 and 2024, out of about 1.2 million who entered the country.
What is the Cuban Adjustment Act?
The Cuban Adjustment Act allows eligible Cubans to apply for permanent residency in the U.S. after one year of presence without leaving the country.