Miami judge moves forward with Cuban immigration status lawsuit

A federal judge in Miami has ruled that she has the jurisdiction to proceed with a lawsuit seeking to regularize the immigration status of up to 500,000 Cubans in the United States.

Judge Jacqueline Becerra of the Southern District of Florida rejected a request from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to dismiss the case. The lawsuit, led by attorney Mark Prada, aims to restore access to the Cuban Adjustment Act for individuals who entered the country after the 2017 termination of the “wet foot, dry foot” policy.

The case originated from a group of 992 Cubans who entered through the Mexican border and are seeking legal residency. Lawyers for the plaintiffs described the ruling as “a major victory,” as it allows the court to address the broader legal implications for the estimated 500,000 to 600,000 Cubans currently in a similar legal position.