MIAMI.-Thousands of Cubans who received the I-220A form to enter the US desperate and worried, after the decision of the Superior Board of Appeals in Immigration (BIA) stating that said return is not a PAROLE in the country’s admission document
Form I-220A is a “Parole Release Order” issued by the US government to certain people who have been detained and released by immigration officials. The person accepts this document in exchange for release and agrees to attend immigration court hearings.
For Cubans, it is very important that I-220A is considered parole because it will facilitate the regularization of their immigration status under the Cuban Adjustment Act. However, the Department of Homeland Security (DNS) itself appealed to the BIA an immigration judge’s order that in August 2022 granted Cuban immigrant Olty Cabrera Fernández shelter under the protection of the CAA, as it carries a form I. -220A.
“Here we see what will happen,” said Dayana, a Cuban who entered in early 2022 through the Mexican border and received an I-220A.
“Requested political asylum when I entered, but there are many people who did not do so and now with this decision they do not know what is the solution to their case. I have no choice but to wait and renew my permit to work on time every two years, as it becomes clear,” he said very sadly.
Immigration lawyer Santiago Alpizar acknowledged, in a conversation with influencer Cuban Eliecer Ávila, that the I-220A is not a parole, nor an admission document to the country. “The admission documents are: a visa, ESTA and parole.”
The lawyer explained that anyone who enters the country illegally will be subject to the deportation process. “Their first defense against that process is a request for political asylum.” The law establishes that asylum must be requested within the first year.
Alpizar indicated that “it’s not the end of the world” for people who receive the I-220A and recommends that they contact an immigration attorney to help them resolve their personal legal situation, as there are many ways to obtain legal residency. , whether through marriage, asylum, or an ICE parole request.
“No one is going to come to your house and deport you, no one is going to put you on a plane to Cuba,” immigration lawyer Willy Allen interviewed by America Teve tried to calm worried Cubans and added, “if you are there in court. “It’s time to wake up and prepare the asylum case as much as possible, with evidence and good representation.”
