Biography
Yoel Alonso Leal is a Cuban asylum seeker who was detained after entering the United States in October 2018. He spoke publicly about medical neglect and joined a class action challenging the denial of humanitarian parole to asylum seekers. His supporters and attorneys alleged that his removal was retaliation for speaking out and participating in litigation. ICE deported him to Cuba on September 12, 2019, despite a public campaign seeking his release and medical care.
Case history and verification
Yoel Alonso Leal is a Cuban asylum seeker who was detained after entering the United States in October 2018. He spoke publicly about medical neglect and joined a class action challenging the denial of humanitarian parole to asylum seekers. His supporters and attorneys alleged that his removal was retaliation for speaking out and participating in litigation. ICE deported him to Cuba on September 12, 2019, despite a public campaign seeking his release and medical care.
Status reviewed October 8, 2026: Deported to Cuba September 12, 2019, ending the documented U.S. detention. No current ICE custody or continuing exile is asserted.
Sources
- Scalawag: case chronology and September 12 deportation
- CCR/IDP: Cruel by Design, retaliation discussion
Biographical details and photo sources
Photo: Campaign image showing Yoel Alonso Leal (left) with his wife Midalis Rodriguez. Via @NOWCRJ, published by Scalawag. Photo source and caption.
Partial-date and deportation endpoint review October 13, 2026: The original Scalawag report documents detention beginning in October 2018 and actual deportation early September 12, 2019. The existing US detention endpoint is retained with that explicit meaning. It does not establish a separate Cuban custody endpoint. October 1 is a month placeholder, not a verified admission day, so 346 exact custody days are cleared.
