Family fears Bay City immigrant could face deportation to Cuba

Left, Ruben Mesa and Monya Alvarez (Courtesy Photo/Monya Alvarez)

BAY CITY, MI -- Family members of a 61-year-old man who has lived in the U.S. for almost four decades fear he could be deported after he was unexpectedly detained Monday.

The Cuban native and Bay City resident was arrested Monday, Feb. 12, in Detroit while attempting to renew his visa -- something he has done annually without incident, said his stepson Corky Hardy.

"He went there last year, no problem; the year before, no problem; this year, they detained him," Hardy said.

Why Ruben Mesa was arrested and subsequently lodged in the Calhoun County Jail, authorities have not said, Hardy told MLive.

Hardy spoke with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials who told him Mesa had no open case against him but was being held without bond.

"It's just frustrating that they can't give you answers," he said. "I'm trying my best to be as patient as possible."

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials could not be reached for comment. There are no open federal or local court cases involving Mesa.

Mesa came from Cuba to the U.S. in the 1980s under President Jimmy Carter's administration, Hardy said. To his knowledge, Mesa was granted asylum.

In 1996, Mesa married Hardy's mother but was never granted citizenship. The pair were together until her death two years ago, Hardy said.

Hardy said Mesa spent several years in prison on charges of unarmed robbery and larceny.

He added that Mesa has lived the past decade in Bay City without incident .

"He's been a good man," Hardy said. "He helps everyone out in his community. He's no threat."

Hardy said Mesa worked in the food and restaurant industry before getting hurt and going on disability.

Monya Alvarez met Mesa within the past year. They soon fell in love, she said.

She said Mesa's care for others and loyalty are what drew her to him. He often repairs and restores what others throw away, giving the refurbished product to those in need, Alvarez said.

Mesa is allowed phone calls, and Alvarez said she talks with him once or twice daily.

"His spirits are low, but he has faith," she said. "I'm hoping that they just let him come home."

Because authorities haven't provided answers about Mesa's detention, Alvarez and Hardy say they fear his deportation to Cuba.

"He doesn't have any family over there, as far as I know," Hardy said. "He didn't really talk much about his home country, because it was just a bad part of his life."

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