Immigration attorney Willy Allen recently addressed pressing concerns from Cuban nationals regarding the I-220A form and pending court cases on his weekly show with Tania Costa. This follows the official end of the USCIS immigration pause, set to lift on June 12, 2026.
For those with an I-220A but no court date assigned, Allen provided straightforward advice: "If you have an I-220A and no court date, stay calm at home. Your case won't be approved right now because it's still under dispute."
He clarified that these cases remain in litigation and approval won't occur immediately despite the pause being lifted.
Preparing for Court Appearances
Allen highlighted a scenario some might face: "If you're called to court, I hope you've filed for asylum beforehand and are ready to prepare and fight for that asylum."
A specific case discussed was that of Pedro Luis Machado, a client of Allen's firm, who has an I-220A, a master court date set for June 25, and has already filed I-130 and Cuban Adjustment requests.
When asked about expectations for that hearing, Allen advised, "I don't know your judge, but talk to your assistant. What to expect? A future final court date."
Implications for Those with Closed Court Cases
Another case involved Iván Paredes, who entered the U.S. via the CBP One app, has had the Cuban Adjustment Act applied for 11 months, completed his court process, and resides in Austin, Texas.
Paredes inquired if the pause had indeed been lifted, to which Allen confirmed decisively: "Yes, the pause is lifted, Iván. Now you just have to wait for your residency."
Cases like these, where the court process is concluded and the Cuban Adjustment has been requested, stand to benefit most directly from the USCIS pause's removal, although Allen has repeatedly cautioned that the implementation will be gradual.
Challenges and Future Prospects
Allen summed up the situation with a telling phrase: "The devil is in the details. They've conceded defeat, they'll start, but now they're dragging their feet slowly."
The USCIS immigration pause had been in effect since November 2025, halting status adjustments, work permits, and asylum applications for nationals from several countries, Cuba included. A federal judge in Rhode Island mandated immediate compliance from the Trump Administration after declaring these policies illegal on June 5 and 6, 2026.
Allen concluded with a broader perspective on immigration challenges: "In my view, resolving immigration issues will be a matter of winning battles one by one in federal courts."
Key Information on I-220A and Immigration Proceedings
What should I do if I have an I-220A with no court date?
Attorney Willy Allen advises staying calm at home as these cases are currently still in litigation and won't be immediately approved.
What happens if I'm called to court with an I-220A?
Allen suggests ensuring you have filed for asylum and are prepared to argue your case if summoned to court.
Has the USCIS immigration pause officially ended?
Yes, the pause has been officially lifted as of June 12, 2026, benefiting those with closed court cases and pending Cuban Adjustment requests.