The year 2023 marked a historic surge in Cuban migration to the United States, surpassing previous records. This dramatic increase, unprecedented since at least November 2021, is rooted in the deepening economic crisis on the island. While Cubans have long faced economic hardships, the intensity of these challenges has catalyzed a mass exodus in the past year
Additionally, the United States has implemented significant political changes regarding migration this year, some of which have a pronounced impact on the Cuban community. In our blog post, we will take an insightful journey unraveling the complexities of Cuban migration in 2023.
While exploring the impacts and rates of migration programs such as humanitarian parole, CBP-One, I-220A, and interim parole, we turn our gaze toward the horizon with a sense of anticipation. What can we expect as we look forward to 2024?
Cuban emigration to the United States after COVID-2019
In 2019, the United States Census Bureau reported a count of 1,359,990 individuals of Cuban origin residing in the U.S. By the end of 2021, the population of Cuba was approximately 11,032,343 people. A notable revelation unfolded: the Cubans residing in the U.S. now constituted more than 10% of the entire Cuban population
The dawn of 2022 witnessed what has been unequivocally recognized as a major immigration crisis in the United States. For the first time in history, Cubans were prominently featured among the cohorts of irregular border crossers, alongside Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans. According to data from the United States Border Patrol, an astounding 157,339 Cubans crossed the border between October 1st, 2021, and June 30th, 2022. This figure eclipsed the records set during the tumultuous Mariel exodus.
This surge in Cuban migration prompted a response from the Biden Administration, leading to the expansion of the humanitarian parole program for Venezuelans. Strikingly, this extension now encompassed three additional nationalities, with Cuba finding itself at the forefront of this policy shift.
Cuban emigration to the United States in 2023
Presently, Cubans hold the position as the third-largest Hispanic community in the United States, trailing only behind Mexico, boasting almost 11 million people, and El Salvador, with a population of 1,412,101 inhabitants.
By the end of October 2023, a total of 52,053 Cubans were granted legal travel authorization to the U.S. through the humanitarian parole program, initiated in January of that year. Additionally, B2 visas for Cuban citizens were reinstated in 2023.
Despite these adjustments aimed at facilitating legal migration for Cubans, the influx of migrants across the border persisted. After a slowdown in the first quarter of 2023, the latter part of the year saw a resurgence. CBP recorded a substantial 200,287 encounters with Cubans at the U.S. borders during the 2023 fiscal year, although this number is lower than the 224,607 encounters reported in 2022.
New Immigration Programs: CBP-One
The termination of Title 42 in May 2023 significantly impacted immigration patterns, leading to a substantial increase in migrant arrivals at the U.S. border. In response, the Biden Administration introduced the CBP-One mobile app to manage asylum appointments. While the app initially handled 1450 appointments daily, this number may have fluctuated.
Cubans have been particularly interested in using CBP-One, motivated in part by the potential benefits of the Cuban Adjustment Law. However, it's important to note that the process of obtaining U.S. citizenship through this law has become more complex in recent years."
I-220 A and Political Asylum: Dichotomy of the Cubans in the United States
Historically, Cubans enjoyed the privilege of benefiting from the Cuban Adjustment Law after one year and one day. Enacted in 1966, this law has facilitated the rapid and effective processing of residence permits for hundreds of thousands of Cubans.
A significant shift in Cuban immigration policy occurred on September 11, 2023, when the United States Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) ruled that the I-220A form could no longer be considered parole. This decision has critical implications for Cubans, as it bars them from applying for permanent residency under the Adjustment Act of 1966.
Approximately 400,000 Cubans currently hold the I-220A permit, a "Provisional Release Order" issued by U.S. immigration authorities to individuals detained and subsequently released. This temporary status offers limited protection while migrants await the processing of their political asylum claims.
Interim parole: what is it and how does it affect Cubans?
The surge in political asylum requests from 400,000 Cubans holding the I-220A form has led to a bottleneck in ICE consular procedures, creating challenges attributable to a shortage of immediate court dates and the impracticality of deportations.
To address this mounting congestion, a mysterious turn of events unfolded in October when some Cubans with I-220A unexpectedly received summonses to process "interim parole." Strikingly, this benefit was granted without an express request, obligating those with the form to attend ICE appointments and respond to notifications regarding their stay in the U.S.
During an interview with Martinoticias, attorney Willy Allen proposed a plausible explanation, suggesting that this interim parole might be targeted at Cubans who arrived between 2021 and 2022, amid the residency process with the USCIS.
Despite these developments, the truth remains elusive as there is no official rule governing the granting of interim parole, and scant information is available on this matter in general terms. The situation underscores the complexity and uncertainty surrounding the legal landscape for Cubans navigating the asylum process in the United States.
Anticipating the Road Ahead: Cuban Emigration in United States in 2024
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Looking forward to 2024, the conclusion of the year raises questions about the trajectory of Cuban emigration to the United States:
Humanitarian Parole:
Cuban migration faces new challenges, notably the sluggish processing of humanitarian parole applications, causing discomfort and doubts. Procedures, dating from January to the present, have been notably slow, with applications submitted in January still pending at year-end. This delay has sparked uncertainty and skepticism among applicants.
Cubans with I-220A:
Mayor Daniella Levine Cava of Miami-Dade has been persistent in pressuring the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to retroactively grant Parole to Cuban migrants with I-220A since December 15. Despite her efforts, as highlighted in a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, the legal limbo for Cubans persists, preventing them from applying to the Cuban Adjustment Act for permanent residence. The year 2023 concludes with this issue still unresolved.
Deportations:
On the other hand, the United States has intensified measures against irregular emigration, resulting in an increased number of deportations of Cuban citizens. From September to the present, eight flights have transported deported Cubans from the United States to Cuba. Over 4,000 Cubans have been deported from various directions during this period.
Charter Flight Cancellations to Nicaragua:
Lastly, at the end of November, the State Department announced sanctions for those facilitating charter flights from Cuba to Nicaragua. The Department of Homeland Security accused these charter flights of not only supporting but also profiting from irregular migration to the United States.
Following this measure, two of four airlines immediately ceased operations between Cuba and Nicaragua, while a third, Aruba Airlines, is fulfilling December commitments but has ceased sales of new tickets. In 2024, indications suggest that only Conviasa will continue this route, effectively halting Cuban emigration via Central America. The evolving landscape raises concerns about the future trajectory of Cuban migration in the coming year.
Final Considerations
In conclusion, the year 2023 leaves Cuban emigration to the United States marked by persistent challenges, from legal ambiguities and slow humanitarian parole processing to intensified deportations and disruptions in traditional migration routes. As we look toward 2024, the unresolved issues underscore the need for continued attention and advocacy to ensure a more compassionate and effective framework for the Cuban diaspora seeking refuge in the United States.
