Cuba is again accepting deportation flights with Cuban nationals who were entering the U.S. at the southern border. This is the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic for flights to resume. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) states they have an estimated dozen Cuban nationals who did not pass the initial asylum screening test as they were trying to enter the U.S. The first flight will depart the U.S. when enough Cuban nationals are determined to be returned to Cuba. The U.S. and Cuba reached an agreement to begin visa processing again for these individuals.

There has been a marked increase in the number of Cubans trying to enter the U.S. by land over the last year. This is partly due to Title 42 which allowed migrants of other nationalities to be pushed back across the southern border, but not Cubans. Over 248,000 Cubans, an increase of nearly 45,000 over the prior year, have been retained by Customs and Border Protection in the last year. Individuals who were denied asylum at the border will now be deported by plane, returning them to Cuba. The last flight to return Cubans to Cuba left the U.S. at the end of 2020, per an advocacy group.

If you have questions about deportation or any other immigration-related issue, contact us at ILBSG. We work with our clients in their particular situations to ensure they get the proper guidance. We are with you every step of the way.