It's time for you to leave the United States! The email you will receive if you entered with CBP One.

In recent days, but especially yesterday and today, the United States government has been sending a message to thousands of immigrants who entered with CBP One to leave the country as soon as possible. What does this mean? What should or can you do? We explain below.

What does the email say?

The email, which everyone who enters the United States will receive sooner or later, and which we from Directorio Cubano were able to access, clearly states:

It's time for me to leave the United States! I am currently in this country because the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) granted me parole to enter the United States for a limited period. (…) We reiterate, from DHS we are revoking your parole. Do not attempt to stay in the United States; the federal government will find you.

With a truly threatening tone, the emails have caused a lot of alarm and even terror among immigrants, many of them of Cuban origin.

The message also specifies a specific deadline for the measure to take effect, unless the granted permissions expire earlier.

Unless it expires earlier, your parole will end seven days after the date of this notice. If you do not leave the United States immediately, you may be subject to law enforcement actions that could result in your removal from the country unless you have a legal basis to stay here.

It is also clarified that all associated benefits are revoked, such as the EAD employment authorization. That is, many now face the possibility of being arrested and losing their work permit. Or worse, being deported if they do not respond in time.

Any benefit you receive in the United States related to your parole, such as employment authorization, will also be canceled. You may be subject to criminal proceedings, civil fines, and other legal penalties available to the federal government. DHS urges you to leave the country immediately on your own. You can use the CBP Home mobile app on your phone to make arrangements for your departure. (…) Please leave the United States immediately.

Everyone will receive the notification

From his YouTube channel, journalist Mario J. Pentón shared details about these letters after receiving advice from Gallardo Law Firm, specialized in immigration matters.

According to the lawyers, not everyone who has received this notification should leave immediately. Some cases are protected by legal avenues already initiated. For example, those who have qualified for residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act, or are in the process, those with an approved visa or asylum case, etc.

But to make it clearer, here is a list for you:

• Cubans who have already submitted their application under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
• Married migrants with citizens or legal residents.
• People with pending asylum applications.
• Those who have managed to change their immigration status since their entry. In other words, those who already have residency (Green Card).

In recent hours, it has been revealed that the U.S. government is even including in these notices those who never managed to cross. For example, many Cubans stranded in Mexico, waiting for an appointment that never arrived, have also received the aforementioned revocation letter.

But we haven't entered and they're asking us to leave, one of the testimonies collected by activists commented.

What to do if you've already received the letter?

We remind you, if you entered with a CBP One, you will receive the letter, meaning everyone will be notified. And it will depend on your current status then what you need to do.

Let's look at each case:

• If you haven't applied for asylum, do so now. You can still start the process. You need to be clear that if you entered with CBP One, it was precisely for that. So if you haven't applied for asylum for whatever reason, now is the time to do so. It's not a false alarm; the government is serious.
• Do not ignore the letter. Respond with legal advice.
• Don't sign documents or leave the country without consulting a lawyer. It's also not the time to go crazy; keep in mind that you have alternatives.
• You should start gathering evidence for your asylum application: complaints, proof of persecution, testimonies.
• Don't assume it's a strategy some use to get money at your expense. Seek certified legal advice. That said, avoid falling for scams or advice without legal basis.