Jenifer Basulto, a Cuban content creator known on Instagram as @pinguinos8191, recently shared her experience during a check-in appointment with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at their Miramar, Florida office.
As an immigrant in the United States with a case under the I-220A form, Basulto's account has become a valuable resource for hundreds of fellow Cubans navigating the same process.
The System of Lines at ICE
What stood out the most to her followers was her description of the queue system at the facility.
"Each year upon arrival, you form a line outside. This time there were two lines. They were separating Cubans from those with other nationalities. They opened at 7:15 a.m. and let us in. Inside, the two lines remained," Basulto explained.
Non-Cubans were attended to in the offices, while documents and appointments of Cuban immigrants were collected to be processed in a different area.
The Check-In Experience
"I waited about four hours. They returned my documents and scheduled my next appointment for the following year, but I didn't see anyone being detained. People of other nationalities were leaving normally. So if you have a check-in appointment, don't be afraid. If you don't have any issues, everything will go smoothly," she assured.
Basulto's testimony brought immediate relief to the Cuban community. One user commented, "Just as she described, that's how my daughter's appointment went. Thanks to your information, we were less worried."
Understanding the I-220A Process
The I-220A is an order of release under supervision issued by ICE, allowing migrants to remain out of custody while their immigration case moves forward. It is not equivalent to parole nor does it grant permanent legal status, and it doesn't automatically protect against detention or deportation.
The ICE office in Miramar, located at 2805 SW 145th Avenue, serves as the main check-in center for migrants with I-220A in South Florida.
While many appointments, like Basulto's, pass without incidents, there have been documented cases of detention, work permit cancellations, passport seizures, and deportation orders during routine appointments in 2025 and 2026.
On July 29, a Cuban with I-220A was reportedly given a deportation order after his third court hearing in Miami.
In February 2026, another Cuban with the same document faced expedited removal following a routine check-in at the same facility.
It is crucial for I-220A holders to attend all required check-ins with ICE, as failing to appear significantly increases the risk of detention.
Common Questions about I-220A Check-Ins at ICE
What is the I-220A form?
The I-220A is a release order under supervision issued by ICE, allowing migrants to stay out of custody while their immigration case is being processed. It does not provide permanent legal status or parole.
What should I expect during an ICE check-in appointment?
During an ICE check-in, you may encounter separate lines based on nationality. Non-Cubans are typically processed in the office, while Cubans may have their documents collected for processing in another area. It is important to remain patient, as the process may take several hours.