Cuban Mother Detained by ICE After Family Trip to Cuba

A Cuban mother of five minor children—three of whom have autism—was detained by ICE at Miami International Airport upon returning from a family trip to Cuba. The case of Yaima de las Mercedes Suárez, a permanent U.S. resident, illustrates how criminal records from over a decade ago can become a deadly trap under the Trump administration’s hardened immigration policies.

The Trip That Changed Everything

Yaima had traveled to Cuba for a strictly family purpose: for her grandmother to meet her granddaughter and to bring flowers to her father’s grave, who had passed away before she could say goodbye. Her husband, Yankiel Suárez, told Noticias 23 Miami that they didn’t foresee any problems: “My wife traveled to Cuba thinking there was no problem at all because she even renewed her residency.”

However, upon re-entering U.S. territory, Yaima was detained due to a criminal record from July 2013. When she was 21 years old and pregnant, she was accused along with four others of fuel theft in Manatee County, Florida, facing charges of conspiracy and theft.

A Desperate Decision

According to her family, Yaima pleaded guilty to avoid giving birth in prison, as she was about to deliver her eldest daughter. For years, this record hadn’t caused problems, but now it has become the basis for her possible deportation.

Journalist Javier Díaz explained that “her criminal record has remained clean until this year, but the lawyer representing her claims that she should not have left the country without consulting.”

Legal Limitations

One of the most significant obstacles in the case is that Yaima hadn’t accumulated the necessary years of residence to apply for cancellation of removal.

“Unfortunately, she had not yet accumulated the 15 years. If she had, we could have asked for a waiver,” her lawyer lamented.

The law firm is exploring several strategies:

Bail request arguing that she is not subject to mandatory detention
Habeas corpus petition as an alternative means to challenge the legality of the detention

The Context of Hardening

This case is set against the tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration, which has intensified controls at airports and prioritizes the detention of permanent residents with criminal records, even past ones.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, permanent residents with convictions for offenses such as theft and conspiracy may be deemed deportable upon re-entering the country, as each entry is considered a new application for admission.

Cuba is also listed among countries deemed non-cooperative by ICE since December 2024, which increases scrutiny on those returning from the island.

A Warning to the Community

Yankiel Suárez, who is now in charge of his five minor children, issued a warning to the community: “I advise everyone to take great care and not to go out unless they are citizens.”

Javier Díaz warned that Yaima’s case is not isolated. There are more permanent residents detained who left the country and upon returning were arrested at an international airport or another U.S. entry point.

The Family Drama

The case exposes the human drama behind immigration policies: a working mother, legal resident for years, who traveled for family reasons and now faces separation from her five children, three of whom have special needs.

Yaima is scheduled to appear at a court hearing on April 6, and her immigration lawyer remains hopeful that she will be granted bail and not face deportation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why was Yaima detained after so many years without problems?

Under U.S. immigration law, each entry into the country is considered a new application for admission. Criminal records that didn’t cause problems for years can be triggered during re-entry, especially under hardened policies.

What legal options does Yaima have?

Her lawyer is exploring a bail request and a habeas corpus petition. However, she doesn’t qualify for cancellation of removal because she hasn’t accumulated 15 years of residence.

Does this affect other permanent residents?

Yes, this case illustrates the risks faced by permanent residents with any criminal record when traveling outside the United States, especially to countries considered non-cooperative like Cuba.

What recommendations are there for the Cuban community?

Experts recommend consulting with an immigration attorney before traveling if you have any criminal record, no matter how old it may be.

Sources:

CiberCuba: “ICE arrests Cuban resident in Miami after traveling to Cuba”
Univision: “Cuban mother is detained by ICE after returning from the island”
Noticias 23 Miami: Exclusive interview with Yankiel Suárez