Madrid/Liosbel and Liosmel Sánchez, two Havana brothers who claim to have manifested on July 11, 2021 in the historic anti -government protests in Cuba, are about to be deported to the island. The young people arrived on December 3, 2023 asylum
However, the resolution of the process has not been expected and after three immigration hearings, your application has been rejected. The complaint came Tuesday through the testimony of activist Cristhian González, who spoke with the journalist Mario J. Pentón for Martí News. In a brief interview, the young alerts that both brothers were arrested by immigration and customs control agents (ICE) as soon as they leave the court, on May 20.
In addition, according to their testimony, the Sanchez have been taken to two different detention centers, Florence and Eloy, in Arizona, the state where they resided.
In addition, according to their testimony, the Sanchez have been taken to two different detention centers, Florence and Eloy, in Arizona, the state where they resided
During the interview with Martí News, González denounced that irregularities have occurred, including Liosbel deprivation of the right to have legal support in a credible fear interview. “They 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,” he lamented, a fact that, apparently, also occurs with Liosmel. “We only ask that due process be respected,” he said.
“They ran away from a dictatorship,” said González, who fears being imprisoned if they end up deported to Cuba. None of the brothers had had problems before leaving Cuba and, in fact, they do not appear among the detainees in the 11J manifestations, although in their social networks you can see that they were critical of the Cuban regime.
The activist took advantage of the interview to ask the US administration to intervene. “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?”
There are several activists contrary to the Cuban regime who face a deportation to the island since the administration of Donald Trump rereciated its anti -immigrant policy. Among the most prominent are the environmentalist Oscar Casanella and the musician Eliexer Márquez, One of the authors of the anthem of the 11J protests, Homeland and life.
Consulted by Pentón, the lawyer specialized in emigration Ismael Labrador recalled that there are many cases of people detained as soon as they leave the court
Consulted by Pentón, the lawyer specialized in emigration Ismael Labrador recalled that there are many cases of people detained as soon as they leave the court in which legal protection or residence measures will be denied in the country. They are not the only ones affected, the arrests of undocumented migrants have become generalized in workplaces, schools, hospitals or, even, in the middle of the street in front of minor children.
“It is not about random arrests. ICE is applying a premeditated strategy: expects the judges to close the cases to stop by surprise asylum seekers. It is a calculated operation,” said the lawyer, who recommends that it be appealed without the slightest delay and prepare a defense in the face of express references.
According to official data, the US granted asylum to 35% of applicants in 2024, but, in addition, the distribution is very unequal. In New Mexico and Texas a large majority are rejected, with percentages of 86%and 83%, while in Nevada (23%) and Missuri (19%) denial is lower.
