On Monday, Cuban-American attorney Willy Allen shared during his weekly show with journalist Tania Costa that August 15 will mark 65 years since his first arrival in the United States. "In a few days, it will be my anniversary of coming to the American empire. August 15, 1961, I arrived here, so 65 years in the empire. I flew on KLM, the Dutch airline," Allen stated at the beginning of the broadcast.
The date was the first Monday of August 2026, and Allen, in a relaxed manner, started the program with this personal anecdote before diving into the day's migration topics. According to Diario Las Américas, Allen was around ten years old when he, his mother, brother, and two cousins arrived in Miami. They settled in a small studio in South Beach, and his first job was shining shoes at a Miami Beach hotel.
Collaborations and Contributions
The discussion shifted to his connection with the NGO World Relief after a viewer sent Tania Costa a link to a documentary about the organization's efforts with Cuban rafters in Guantánamo. Allen clarified that he assisted the entity during the Mariel Boatlift in 1980 and the 1994 rafter crisis, though he was never formally employed by them.
"I have worked with World Relief, helped them—not always, but I helped during the Mariel and in Guantánamo," he specified. Reflecting on the Mariel Boatlift, he mentioned Tom Willis, a local director of the NGO at the time, describing him as "a great person, a beautiful person."
Legal Roles in Historical Contexts
Regarding his time at Guantánamo Naval Base, Allen was clear to separate his role from that of the humanitarian organization. "I never worked for the NGO. I have cooperated with them, participated in certain activities, but I was never their employee. No, I went to Guantánamo as the lawyer for Guarione Díaz, and the lawyer for Siro del Castillo, and as the lawyer for Willy Chirino," he explained.
Guarione Díaz, whom Allen described as "a great friend of mine" who "is still alive," was the civil director of the camp, known in Miami as "the chief." Siro del Castillo, now deceased, held the second highest position in the camp's structure. Artist Willy Chirino sang to the Cuban rafters in Guantánamo in 1994, a gesture that became a symbol of the exile community's support for newcomers.
World Relief's Impact
Allen emphasized World Relief's effectiveness and global reach. "World Relief has a connection with the Protestant church, and it has always been very, very efficient worldwide, and they continue to work globally."
The attorney proudly summarized his role during that significant historical period. "At that time, I was the lawyer for all three, and so I went with my title as the attorney from Little Havana. That's not insignificant."
This biographical segment served as the opening for the program on the first Monday of August, before Allen addressed the main topic of the day: the Trump administration's proposed rule allowing immigration judges to impose fines ranging from $1,000 to $3,500 on immigrants, defense attorneys, and witnesses for contempt—a measure he believes lacks legal foundation and is designed to intimidate.
Insights into Willy Allen's Journey and Legal Work
What was Willy Allen's first job in the United States?
Willy Allen's first job in the United States was shining shoes at a hotel in Miami Beach.
How did Willy Allen contribute to the Mariel Boatlift and the rafter crisis?
Willy Allen assisted the NGO World Relief during the Mariel Boatlift in 1980 and the 1994 rafter crisis, though he was not formally employed by them.
Who was Guarione Díaz in relation to Willy Allen's work?
Guarione Díaz was a significant figure in the camp at Guantánamo, where Allen served as his lawyer. Díaz was known in Miami as "the chief."