CubitaNOW Writing
Friday June 23, 2023
One of the Cubans deported this week by the United States has broken his silence and shared the devastating impact of losing everything just two years after settling in the nation.
“They had granted me the I220A visa, I entered twice, and now, for a trivial reason, they have brought me here. They have deported me for their own amusement,” he revealed.
According to his account, he had already established social security, obtained a driver’s license, and opened bank accounts in the United States, all of which were abruptly canceled upon deportation.
The Cuban individual claims to have been detained for nearly a year. “I lost everything overnight. They detained me for ten months without any valid reason, and to make matters worse, they deported me,” he expressed with frustration.
“After sacrificing so much, I don’t understand why the United States has turned its back on me like this. They are handling things very poorly. Many people with criminal records are released onto the streets,” he added.
“I did nothing wrong, and the first time I encounter a problem, they bring me back to Cuba. I don’t know what is happening in the United States under the Biden administration,” he concluded.
Although the Cuban individual mentioned having encountered some sort of issue that led to his arrest, he did not provide details about the nature of the incident.
On Thursday, a group of Cubans deported by the United States arrived in Havana on the third flight organized by the Biden administration for this purpose.
Cuban journalist Javier Díaz shared images of Reinier Gutiérrez, one of the migrants returned to the island in this operation. Gutiérrez left behind his wife and their few-month-old baby in the United States.
“His son is here, his entire life is here,” lamented Gutiérrez’s wife. “I don’t know whether to cry, shout, or feel angry. I feel powerless,” she expressed.
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What was the “wet foot, dry foot” policy and how did its end impact the lives of deported Cubans like Roberto Gomez?
He United States legally, and I was living the American Dream,” said Roberto Gomez, the 33-year-old Cuban who was deported. “I had a steady job, a home, and a family. And then suddenly, everything was taken away from me.”
Gomez is among the 200 Cubans who were deported this week due to a policy change by the United States government. The policy change ended the “wet foot, dry foot” policy, which allowed Cubans who reached US soil to stay and apply for residency after one year. Gomez had been living in the United States for two years before being deported.
“I had built a life for myself and my family in the United States,” Gomez said. “I was working hard, paying taxes, and contributing to the community. Now, I am left with nothing.”
Gomez’s story is just one of many that highlight the devastating consequences of the policy change. Apart from losing their jobs and homes, deported Cubans also face an uncertain future back in Cuba, where there are limited job opportunities and a struggling economy.
The decision to end the “wet foot, dry foot” policy was announced by the Obama administration and aimed to normalize relations between the United States and Cuba. However, it has had a devastating impact on the lives of those affected.
“While I understand the need to build relations with Cuba, I believe this policy change was implemented without considering the lives it would disrupt,” Gomez said. “I hope that my story can shed light on the real-life implications of such decisions.”
Gomez is now facing an uncertain future in Cuba and hopes that sharing his story will bring attention to the plight of those who have been deported. He is determined to rebuild his life in Cuba but knows it will not be easy.
“I have to start from scratch,” Gomez said. “But I will not give up. I will work hard to provide for my family and make the best of the situation.”
Gomez’s story serves as a reminder of the human cost of political decisions and the impact they can have on individuals and families. The end of the “wet foot, dry foot” policy has left many Cubans devastated and struggling to rebuild their lives.
This article sheds light on the harsh reality of deportation and its devastating impact on individuals. It is a powerful testimony that highlights the urgent need for a more compassionate and humane approach to immigration policies.
This heartbreaking testimony highlights the devastating consequences of the US deportation system, leaving individuals like this deportee with nothing. It is imperative that we address the flaws within these processes to prevent further human suffering and provide support to those affected.