The story of Deivy Aleman Oropesa, a Cuban immigrant who lived in Orlando, reflects one of the harshest faces of the crisis immigration in the United States. After 7 years in the country, he made the decision to self-deport.

After receiving notice that he must leave the country by September 14 or face detention and forced deportation, the father chose to voluntarily leave the United States, simplifying the process and hoping to return.

But in addition to his life in the country, Aleman is separated from his family: his wife, a U.S. citizen, and his 2-year-old daughter, who suffers from a serious heart condition and requires constant care.

The little girl, named Keira, has already undergone open-heart surgery and will need a transplant in the future.

“They told me that I had to have a plane ticket, or else they would detain and deport me. They didn’t give me a choice,” the Cuban said in conversation with several media outlets, including Univision.

Self-deporting offered him guarantees that he would not be arrested and sent to a different country. third

His wife, Yisell Sardui, says the separation is devastating. She had to stop working to care for her daughter and now faces the possibility of not being able to cover basic expenses.

“(My daughter) greets her father with a hug every day, and thinking that on Monday she won’t be able to do so breaks my soul,” he said.

He also questioned the lack of institutional support: “I don’t feel like anyone represents me in this country. I have asked senators and congressmen for help because this is not a made-up case, it’s a matter of life or death.”

Immigration attorney Jose Guerrero explained to Univision that self-deportation avoids prolonged detention and the possibility of being sent to a third country, even outside the American continent.

“In this case, the immigrant is seeking to preserve the possibility of some immigration relief in the future,”said the expert.

Aware that the judicial process was not in his favor, Deivy Aleman chose to leave voluntarily to avoid facing further time in detention. “I have to do it because I have no choice. If I don’t leave, I’ll never have status here, and you can’t live like this,” he said.

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