Ruben Martinez Machadothe 29-year-old Cuban who arrived in South Florida (USA) last week aboard a Russian-made plane, will request asylum in the US since he fears that if he is returned to the island “his life will be in danger,” according to told the agency EFE this Wednesday his lawyer, Eduardo Soto.
Martínez Machado remains in the custody of the US immigration authorities in a detention center in Broward County, north of Miami, although he could be released under surveillance (with an electronic shackle) today or in the next few days, according to the lawyer. .
The young man will have his first hearing before an immigration judge next Monday, where he will formalize his asylum request under the figure of “credible fear”.
The Cuban migrant entered the United States last Friday morning by air from Cuba aboard an Antonov An-2 single-engine plane, which made a landing at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, located in the middle of the immense wetland of the Florida Everglades.
As reported by the Miami media, he flew from the province of Holy Spiritin the center of Cuba and located more than 300 kilometers east of Havana and, shortly after landing after an hour’s journey, was placed at the disposal of the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) government.
“He is happy to have arrived in the country of freedoms,” said Soto, who added that both he and his client are confident of obtaining a positive verdict in court.
“It seems to me that he has a very good case, but I am not the one who has the last word,” said the lawyer, who did not offer more details about it as there is a judicial process involved.
The young Cuban has no relatives in South Florida and, if he obtains asylum, in principle his plan is to settle in Miami, according to Soto, who specified that they have requested the release of Martínez Machado while the process continues. .
The dramatic arrival of Martínez Machado, reported by local media, reflects the increase in exodus of Cubans heading to the United States.
During fiscal year 2022, that is, between October 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022, a total of 6,182 Cuban migrants were intercepted in the waters of the Straits of Florida, well above the 838 detained in the previous fiscal period. , according to statistics from the US Coast Guard.
So far this month, 921 Cubans have already been intercepted in the vicinity of this state, according to the agency.
(With information from EFE)
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