Two 11J protesters arrested for immigration in the USA face possible deportation to Cuba

Two Cuban brothers who participated in the historical protests of July 11, 2021 in Cuba were arrested by immigration and customs control agents (ICE) in the United States and could be deported to the island, as the activist Cristian González denounced on Tuesday.

Yosmel and Lionel Sánchez, who arrived in US territory on December 3, 2023, had initiated a legal process of asylum application. After appearing in three immigration hearings, his case was dismissed on May 20.

Upon leaving the Court, they were arrested by ICE and transferred to detention centers in the state of Arizona: Yosmel to the installation of Florence and Lionel to the center of Eloy.

Denounce irregularities in the process

González denounced that there have been irregularities in the migratory process of the brothers, especially in the interviews of «credible fear», fundamental to assess whether his return to Cuba would represent a risk for their lives.

«Yosmel did the interview on a Sunday at 6:30 in the morning, without her lawyer being present. The lawyer had requested to speak with him previously and did not allow it,» González said.

In the case of Lionel, they fear the same thing happens: «They are trying to do the interview without their lawyer. We only ask that due process be respected.»

Both brothers have no criminal record. Yosmel, for example, was a medical student in Cuba and, according to his environment, never had legal problems, except for his political position.

«They ran away from a dictatorship,» insisted the activist, who fears being imprisoned if they are sent back to the island.

Arrests after closing cases

Immigration lawyer Ismael Labrador, based in southern Florida, said that this case is not isolated.

«These are not random arrests. ICE is applying a premeditated strategy: expects the judges to close the cases to stop as an asylum applicants. It is a calculated operation,» he said.

Labrador recommends that, given the closure of a case, appeal resources are presented and a defense is prepared in the face of a possible expedited deportation.

«That defense includes a credible fear interview and, subsequently, a formal asylum application from the arrest,» he explained.

Since the arrival of the administration of President Donald Trump, the Department of National Security (DHS) has reinforced the guidelines for expedited deportation of those who entered the country under the CBP One program and still do not have defined immigration status.

So far, DHS has not responded to a request for comments from Martí News to this case.

Called to Congress and the community

In recent weeks, Cuban activists such as Eliecer Márquez Duany («El Funky») and Oscar Casanella, who are also in migratory procedures, have expressed concern about the tightening of asylum policies. Both signed a letter sent to the Government requesting that deportation orders against Cuban activists and applicants in a similar situation be suspended.

Cristian González took the opportunity to urgently call Cuban American congressmen.

«We, those who leave Cuba and continue to denounce, need to be heard. The most effective opposition against the dictatorship has been the one that has left the country and has been able to raise your voice. If we close the door to these young people, what are we really doing for the freedom of Cuba?» He questioned.