Susanne García Nazco has been held in a Louisiana correctional facility for over six months following her arrest by immigration authorities on fraud charges. García Nazco, a Cuban national, asserts that she acted in good faith, presenting what she believed to be an authentic parole approval document to the authorities.
An exclusive report by Telemundo 51 sheds light on the intricate challenges faced by Cuban migrants with I-220A forms who, in their efforts to regularize their status, sometimes become entangled in alleged immigration fraud through intermediaries.
The Journey North
García Nazco arrived in the United States via the southern border in 2022 and was issued an I-220A form, which is a release order under supervision but does not confer a permanent immigration status or constitute a parole.
In 2023, she applied for parole with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Nearly two years later, she received a document that purportedly confirmed the approval of her application. Believing in its legitimacy, she presented it before an immigration judge.
Misunderstood Documentation
"I showed that document to a judge. The judge had dismissed my hearings, telling me to await residency through marriage or the Cuban Adjustment Act," García Nazco recounted from her detention center.
According to her and her family's accounts, there was no indication at the time that the document might be problematic. Her mother, Leydis Nazco, claimed that ICE officers in Miramar, Florida, advised her daughter that there was no longer a need for periodic check-ins if she had a parole.
Legal and Financial Struggles
In February 2026, García Nazco was arrested as part of an ICE investigation under allegations of immigration fraud. Since then, she has remained in custody in Louisiana, insisting that she was unaware of any potential irregularities in the document.
"If someone had told me there was an error or issue, I wouldn't have presented it. I would have resolved the matter with USCIS and my lawyer," she stated.
Orlando Mestre, her husband and a U.S. citizen, believes they may have fallen victim to a fraud scheme. The family has spent over $30,000 on legal fees, struggling to clarify what happened with the document while fighting against her deportation.
Community and Political Concerns
The case has garnered attention amid growing concern among thousands of Cubans who entered the U.S. with an I-220A form. Cuban-American Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar recently warned about reports from ICE concerning individuals using notaries to obtain falsified parole documents.
While Salazar's warning was not directly related to García Nazco's situation, she cautioned migrants against presenting fraudulent documents to federal authorities, as such actions are punishable by law.
Currently, García Nazco faces a deportation order with bail denied, as her family seeks to keep legal avenues open to prevent her removal from the U.S. From her detention in Louisiana, García Nazco has made a plea for help, hoping for a decision that could shape her future.
"Please, I'm begging for help to get out of here!" she exclaimed.
Understanding Immigration Challenges for Cubans with I-220A
What is an I-220A form?
An I-220A form is a release order under supervision, which does not grant a permanent immigration status or act as a parole.
Why was Susanne García Nazco arrested?
She was arrested on charges related to immigration fraud as part of an ICE investigation, despite believing she had presented a legitimate parole document.
What actions are being taken to help Susanne García Nazco?
Her family is engaged in a legal battle to prevent her deportation, having spent over $30,000 in legal fees and seeking community support through a GoFundMe campaign.