Why Matter of Q. Li Matters
Updated: Jun 10, 2025
At Hannibal Legal, we know that understanding the nuances in immigration law can be as challenging as it is critical. Recently, there has been some discussion about how the dicta of Matter of Q. Li might affect individuals trying to adjust their status under the Cuban Adjustment Act. Although Matter of Q. Li does not directly address the Cuban Adjustment Act nor determine whether Form I-220a functions as effective parole, it brings forward important legal clarifications that may impact your case. For current clients, while you await personal follow up, the points below should clarify many of the questions you have:
The decision does not explicitly overrule Matter of Cabrera, the case that drew a bright line between Humanitarian Parole and Conditional Parole. What Matter of Q. Li does do, however, is affirm that questions about whether a migrant is “arriving” or “present in the US” are legal questions–not merely matters of unreviewable discretion for CBP officers, as some ICE officers, CBP officers, and even immigration judges have previously asserted.
For Cuban migrants issued an I-220a, or other forms of entry documentation apart from an I-94, this means that the argument for seeking adjustment of status under the Cuban Adjustment Act through USCIS is bolstered. It supports the view that, as a migrant (that should have been) deemed "arriving," applicants should be allowed to pursue their adjustment claims before USCIS alongside, if not in lieu of, immigration court proceedings.
At Hannibal Legal, we take each case seriously. For applications filed by our office, we will take a second peek at each still pending before USCIS to assess if an additional legal memo, motion to the court (for those in removal proceedings), or request for waiver could increase the chances for an approval. Over the summer, we will follow up with current clients to share our assessment and outline the best legal strategies based on these recent legal sentiments.
If you have specific questions about how these developments might affect your situation, please don't hesitate to send a quick email or WhatsApp message. Your rights and clear path forward remain our top priority. Forward together!
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En Hannibal Legal, sabemos que comprender los matices de la ley de inmigración puede ser tan difícil como crucial. Recientemente, se ha debatido cómo la decisión del Matter of Q. Li podría afectar a las personas que intentan ajustar su estatus bajo la Ley de Ajuste Cubano. Si bien el Matter of Q. Li no aborda directamente la Ley de Ajuste Cubano ni determina si el Formulario I-220a funciona como un parole de viaje efectivo, sí aporta importantes aclaraciones legales que podrían afectar su caso. Para nuestros clientes actuales, mientras esperan un seguimiento personal, los siguientes puntos deberían aclarar muchas de sus dudas:
La decisión no anula explícitamente el Matter of Cabrera, el caso que trazó una clara línea entre el parole humanitario y el parole condicional. Sin embargo, el Matter of Q. Li sí afirma que las preguntas sobre si un migrante está "arriving" o "present in the U.S.." son cuestiones legales, no meras cuestiones de discreción para los oficiales de la CBP, como han afirmado previamente algunos oficiales de ICE, CBP e incluso jueces de inmigración.
Para los migrantes cubanos que recibieron un formulario I-220a u otros documentos de entrada además del I-94, esto refuerza el argumento para solicitar un ajuste de estatus bajo la Ley de Ajuste Cubano a través del USCIS. Esto respalda la idea de que, como cubanos nativos, los solicitantes deberían poder presentar sus solicitudes de ajuste de estatus con USCIS junto con, o incluso en lugar de, los procedimientos judiciales de inmigración.
En Hannibal Legal, nos tomamos cada caso con seriedad. En nuestras oficinas, revisaremos nuevamente cada solicitud pendiente ante el USCIS para evaluar si un memorando legal adicional, una moción judicial (para quienes están en proceso de deportación) o una solicitud de exención aumentan las posibilidades de aprobación. Durante el verano, nos comunicaremos con nuestros clientes actuales para compartir nuestra evaluación y definir las mejores estrategias legales basadas en estas opiniones legales recientes.
Si tiene preguntas específicas sobre cómo estos acontecimientos podrían afectar su situación, no dude en enviarnos un correo electrónico o un mensaje de WhatsApp. Sus derechos y un camino claro hacia adelante siguen siendo nuestra principal prioridad. ¡Avanzando juntos!
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