A Cuban native from Camagüey, who had been living in Austin, Texas, reported on Thursday that he was deported to Mexico despite having a valid parole, work permit, active driver's license, and a pending permanent residency application in the United States for two years.
"Today, with immense pain in my heart, I must share this message: I am in Mexico, deported without reason, even though my permanent residency application has been pending for two years," expressed Juan Alberto in a heartfelt Facebook post, accompanied by photos of his loved ones.
Juan Alberto revealed that he had to leave his family in the U.S. "without a father, without a husband, and with a broken heart, uncertain of when I will be able to hold my children and wife again."
This situation underscores the uncertainty faced by thousands of Cubans navigating immigration processes. For more detailed updates on deportations, parole, and residency, visit our U.S. Immigration section.
"I was deported despite never committing a crime. My only 'crime' was tirelessly working to support my family, all while holding a parole, a valid license, and a work permit," he stated, without further elaborating on his case.
Another Cuban woman shared her story of waiting three and a half years for her residence with the I-220A form after deportation, having left her daughter — now a resident — in the United States: "What they have done to us is an injustice." A fellow compatriot, deported directly to Cuba before managing to leave again, remarked: "There's hope when you're still in Mexico. Someday you might have the chance to cross. Be strong, think of your family, and avoid illegal actions so that one day you can reunite with them."
According to a Human Rights Watch report titled "Abandoned Here to Die," published on May 27, 2026, from January 20, 2025, to March 9, 2026, the United States deported approximately 4,353 Cubans to Mexico, the largest national group among nearly 13,000 people sent to that country during that period. Of these, 26% — about 1,132 individuals — had no criminal record in the U.S., highlighting that migration policy extends beyond those with criminal histories.
The backdrop to these deportations is the termination of the CHNV humanitarian parole program — aimed at Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans — under the Trump Administration. The Department of Homeland Security ceased accepting new applications on January 28, 2025, and began canceling individual permits in April of that year. The Supreme Court upheld this measure in May 2025.
Due to the Cuban government's refusal to accept repatriation flights, Washington started deporting Cubans to Mexico as a "third country," under an unwritten agreement between the two governments, whose legality was still under Supreme Court review in October 2026. The Department of Justice acknowledged in March 2026 that approximately 6,000 Cubans were transferred to Mexico the previous year.
Deported Cubans in Mexico often find themselves stranded, primarily in Tapachula, Chiapas, and Villahermosa, Tabasco, without documents, work permits, or a clear path to regularization. Activists estimated in May 2026 that around 800 Cubans remained in Tapachula and nearly 3,000 in Villahermosa, relying on procedures with the Mexican Commission for Refugee Assistance, which could extend over months.
Exploring Cuban Deportation to Mexico
Why are Cubans being deported to Mexico?
Cubans are being deported to Mexico because the Cuban government refuses to accept repatriation flights, leading the U.S. to use Mexico as a "third country" destination under an informal agreement.
What is the impact of the deportation policy on Cuban families?
The deportation policy has resulted in family separations, leaving many Cubans in Mexico without legal status or work permits, and uncertain about when they will reunite with their loved ones in the U.S.
How many Cubans have been deported under this policy?
Between January 2025 and March 2026, approximately 4,353 Cubans were deported to Mexico, representing the largest national group among nearly 13,000 people relocated during that time.