Cuban Father Voluntarily Departs US Amid Daughter’s Health Crisis

“I have to self-pay me as there is no other option. If I don’t go, I will never have my status in the United States. So you can’t live,” said Deivy German Oropesa, visibly distressed.

This Cuban father, a resident of Orlando, Florida, will voluntarily abandon the United States after receiving a deportation order from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The decision casts the family into profound uncertainty, especially because their daughter suffers from a serious heart condition requiring upcoming open-heart surgery.

“It will be arduous.I am worried that our daughter can become depressed and experiance relapses. I practically see myself living on the street as how can I take care of my daughter and work to pay the rent and the bills?” expressed Yisel Miguel Sarduy, Deivy’s wife, her voice breaking with despair.

“Nobody represents me in this country. I asked for help from senators, conferences and nothing. My case is not invented, it is a real situation, of life or death.(…) The girl every day welcomes her dad with a hug, and on Monday she will not be able to do it,” he lamented.

Journalist Javier Díaz shared this story on Friday via social media, including a video featuring statements from the Cuban father, where he appears deeply affected as he explains his dramatic decision and shows his packed suitcases for his flight to Cuba on sunday.

A Visit to ICE Changed His Destiny

Deivy German Oropesa attended a routine appointment with ICE on September 8th. He was informed he must leave the country before September 14th or face arrest and forced deportation.

“At the meeting with ICE, they informed me that if I remained, they would have to detain me and deport me on their initiative. Otherwise, I had to present my departure ticket from the United states for this Sunday. I believe the best choice is to leave voluntarily,” he explained in a statement to Díaz.

The family did not anticipate such a harsh outcome.Their youngest daughter has undergone three open-heart surgeries and requires further medical procedures. While the mother dedicates herself to her care, Deivy was the family’s sole provider.

“What worries Me Most Is Leaving My Family”

For Deivy, the pain of leaving extends beyond exile; its the forced separation from his sick daughter. “What worries me most is to leave my family here, the girl who is waiting for another operation,” he confessed, his voice trembling.

Oropesa has no criminal record. He entered the country illegally through the border seven years ago and has lived under an active deportation order since then. ICE offered him the voluntary departure option, warning that failure to comply could result in arrest and detention in an immigrant detention center.

Javier Díaz https://twitter.com/javierdiaz_tv