Deportation Flight from the US to Cuba Confirmed by Ministry of the Interior
After reports from various independent media outlets, the Ministry of the Interior (Minint) has officially confirmed the takeoff of a new deportation flight to Cuba. The operation took place on Thursday, June 22, and marks the third such flight since deportations resumed in April 2023.
According to a statement from the Ministry, shared by state media outlet Escambray, the flight transported 36 Cubans from the United States. This brings the total number of Cubans returned to the island from neighboring countries to 3,989 since the beginning of the year.
The Ministry’s statement specified that all the passengers on the plane were men. Among them, 13 had left the country illegally on rustic or improvised boats, while the rest had initially left the country legally but later joined the flow of illegal migrants attempting to enter the US.
It is important to note that deportation flights were suspended in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. They were resumed after several immigration talks between Cuba and the United States.
The first deportation flight occurred on April 24, when the US sent 123 individuals with deportation orders to the island. The group consisted of 40 rafters and 83 migrants who had been detained on the southern border of the US. Most of these individuals were residents of Havana, Artemisa, Matanzas, and Granma provinces. The news of their possible deportation was alerted to their loved ones when MININT agents approached their relatives to inquire if they could take them in upon their return to Cuba.
A second flight was organized in May, just two weeks after the first, and transported 66 people, including 60 men and six women, back to the island. The Minint reported that 35 of these individuals were rafters who had been detained by the Border Patrol, while the rest had left the country legally and found their way to the US.
These deportation flights are part of the immigration agreements between Cuba and the United States. Immigration lawyer Miguel Inda-Romero stated that Cubans with deportation orders, specifically the I-220B or I-220A, are at the highest risk of being returned. He explained that these individuals already have orders from judges, are under ICE supervision, and have annual visits. If they were to attend these visits, they could potentially be detained.
The resumption of deportation flights has sparked concerns among Cubans living in the US, particularly those with deportation orders. The ongoing immigration talks between the two countries will likely continue to shape the future of these flights and the fate of those affected.
How are the current migratory agreements between the United States and Cuba impacting the deportation of individuals with visa overstays?
T had visa overstays in the United States. The Ministry stated that the deportations were carried out in accordance with the current migratory agreements between Cuba and the United States.
The Ministry of the Interior reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safe return and reintegration of all deported individuals, providing them with necessary support and assistance upon their arrival in Cuba. This includes help with reuniting with family, finding housing, and accessing healthcare and employment opportunities.
Deportations from the United States to Cuba were temporarily suspended in 2017 under the Obama administration’s policy to normalize relations with the island. However, they have resumed under the current administration, which has taken a tougher stance on immigration.
The Cuban government has expressed its concern over the deportations, arguing that they go against the spirit of the migratory agreements and have a negative impact on families and communities in Cuba. Despite this, the Ministry of the Interior emphasized that they are committed to upholding the agreements and ensuring the safe and orderly return of individuals to their home country.
The confirmation of this deportation flight comes amidst ongoing discussions between the United States and Cuba regarding immigration policies. The two countries have been in talks on various issues, including the possibility of increasing legal pathways for migration and improving conditions for deported individuals in Cuba.
As the issue of immigration continues to be a contentious one, with global implications, the Ministry of the Interior and other Cuban authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely, ensuring that all deportations are carried out in a fair and humane manner.
This article sheds light on the confirmation of a third deportation flight from the United States, highlighting the ongoing issue of deportations. It prompts a reflection on the complexities surrounding immigration policies and the need for compassionate and comprehensive solutions.