Havana/Mayra has not stopped checking her cell phone since Tuesday, when it was published a memorandum that froze residency and naturalization applications for migrants from 19 countries, including Cuba. The woman has been in the United States for more than two years and hoped to obtain the green cardbut his uncertainty multiplied a few hours ago, when he learned that his biometric appointment on December 8 had just been canceled.
Full of doubts about her process to benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Law, Mayra is realistic and, right now, sees few opportunities to legalize her situation in the short term. With an I-220A document, after having entered through the southern border, he does not have much hope of being regularized during Donald Trump’s term. “We have to endure, but at least we’re in,” she says, resigned to 14ymedio.
Cubans are among the nationals who have seen their immigration applications suspended with the new regulations. The decision includes permanent residence processes, naturalization and other immigration procedures supervised by the Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In the last few hours, several lawyers have reported the cancellation of interviews and naturalization ceremonies for their clients.
As the content of the memorandum has spread, thousands of migrants from the Island have begun to weigh the impact that the document will have on their legal situation. Some have been waiting for months, others several years, to regularize their situation after entering the United States through the border or thanks to a parole humanitarian. This week’s announcement could prolong the immigration limbo in which they find themselves.
Niurka, a 37-year-old Havana woman, has lived hours of anguish since Tuesday night. A resident in the United States for four years, he initially arrived with a multiple-entry visa obtained, he recalls, “during the Obama era when everything was easier.” After traveling several times from Havana to Miami, on his fourth visit he decided to stay and wait a year to benefit from the Cuban Adjustment Law.
“If I don’t go I lose my house, but if I leave here, it goes and then I can’t get back in”
Before next January 31, Niurka must return to Cuba if she wants to keep her home. Under current Cuban legislation, residents on the Island have up to 24 months outside the country to preserve their properties. “If I don’t go I lose my house, but if I leave here, it goes and then I can’t get back in,” he considers.
The measure promoted by Trump could have a collateral effect on the Island, already hit by the drop in the number of visitors from abroad. The community of Cuban emigrants is one of the groups that still continues to travel regularly to the country to visit their relatives, stay in hotels with their relatives and bring them food or medicine.
The fear of having problems with their immigration status, and even of losing US residency after a vacation in Cuba, has multiplied after the Island was included in the list of affected nations, which also include Venezuela, Iran, Sudan, Eritrea, Haiti, Somalia and other countries.
Niurka prefers not to risk her legality in the United States. “Luckily I bought a ticket that I can change the date or refund the payment, but, whether or not, I’m not going to travel anymore,” he says.
“In this country there are courts and judges that constantly stop the president”
Lawyer Wilfredo Allen agrees with Niurka’s position. In an interview this Wednesday with journalist Wilfredo Cancio, from Strong Coffeerecommended caution to those who plan to travel to the Island. “If you are a resident and have no reason to travel to Cuba, do not travel. When you return they will interrogate you, they will try to intimidate you,” he warned.
For Ismael, who “has waited a long time and nothing happens if you have to wait a little,” the memorandum “could be seen coming.” Still with a very early process to obtain residency, the 34-year-old from Santiago has an appointment this December to appear before a judge and demonstrate “credible fear” of receiving reprisals if he returns to the Island. Now, his greatest fear is that the hearing will be suspended, he will be arrested and deported.
However, with that wisdom that accompanies someone who has seen a lot after making a long journey through several countries to reach the United States, Ismael chooses to remain calm: “If they throw me out of here, at least they will have to send me on a flight that will be free,” he summarizes with a certain irony.
Others place their hopes that this Tuesday’s announcement will go a long way towards reality. María Eugenia, 66 years old, who arrived in Miami in 2024 from Matanzas, through a parole humanitarian and who still does not have his permanent residence, clings to a hope: “In this country there are courts and judges that constantly stop the president’s feet,” he assures in reference to the complicated journey that the memorandum has ahead.
Despite the tense immigration climate, Alexandra, a Cuban Uber driver and also without green cardhas received expressions of solidarity in recent hours. After a few words of greeting, an American passenger said with emotion: “Immigrants like you are what make this country great, God bless you“, the woman told 14ymedio.
