Eliéxer Márquez Duany, better known by his stage name El Funky, is a Cuban rapper who has found himself in a tough spot — facing deportation from the U.S., even though he openly supports former President Donald Trump.
His story sheds light on the complicated and often harsh realities immigrants face, especially those caught between politics and legal red tape.
From Musical Activism to Immigration Battle
El Funky rose to prominence with his 2021 song Patria y Vida, which became a rallying cry against Cuba’s communist regime.
The song was so influential that Senator Marco Rubio even introduced a law inspired by its name.
But despite his vocal anti-communist stance and support for the U.S., Eliéxer’s application for residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act — a 1966 law meant to help Cuban migrants — was rejected.
Recently, he shared on Facebook that he now has only 30 days to leave the country before being deported.
In a heartfelt post, he pleaded for support from fellow Cubans and U.S. lawmakers, emphasizing the danger he faces if sent back.
Given his outspoken criticism of Cuba’s government, returning home could land him in prison.
Facing Peril Back Home and Silence in Washington
When El Funky fled Cuba in 2021, officials there told him bluntly: “We want you to leave, but don’t come back.”
His song is banned in Cuba, and two of his fellow artists were imprisoned for their involvement.
Despite his music’s political impact and praise from Cuban-American politicians in the past, many have remained silent on his current immigration struggles.
Among public figures, Florida Republican María Elvira Salazar has stood out by advocating for his case.
She called him a political refugee deserving protection under U.S. immigration law and said she’s working with immigration officials to highlight the risks of persecution he faces if deported.
A Loyal Trump Supporter in an Uncertain Legal Climate
Interestingly, despite the lack of support from the Trump administration itself, El Funky remains a loyal admirer of the former president.
He told reporters that if he were eligible to vote, he would have chosen Trump, praising him as the strongest president regarding Cuba policy.
Since arriving in the U.S., Eliéxer has built a life — marrying a Cuban-American woman and securing steady employment — all while continuing his music career.
But the timing of his residency application proved problematic.
Under Trump, the Cuban Adjustment Act saw restrictions, and the Biden administration’s attempts to find workarounds have also been limited.
Now, after the rejection of his application with no explanation, El Funky is urgently trying to apply for asylum to avoid deportation.
Broader Immigration Crackdown Complicates His Case
Adding to the difficulties for Márquez Duany is a recent push by Trump to revoke temporary legal status from over half a million migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
Announced by Department of Homeland Security head Kristi Noem, this move targets people who entered the U.S. under a humanitarian parole program created during Biden’s administration.
This crackdown follows Trump’s long-standing promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants and cut off legal immigration pathways.
The affected migrants, who arrived with financial sponsors, have been allowed to live and work in the U.S. on two-year permits — but that legal footing is now under threat.
What the Future Holds for Cuban and Other Migrants
Under the new policy, parolees are expected to leave the U.S. within 30 days of the official notice.
The administration clarified that parole is always temporary and doesn’t provide a direct path to permanent residency or citizenship.
This recent action fits into a larger pattern from the Trump administration aimed at curbing what it described as abuses of humanitarian parole — a mechanism traditionally used by presidents to protect people fleeing war or political instability.
The decision has already faced legal challenges, and uncertainty remains for many, including roughly 240,000 Ukrainians who arrived after Russia’s invasion of their country.
El Funky’s Plea for Individual Consideration Amid a Mass Deportation Push
El Funky understands the administration’s tough stance on immigration, saying, “There are probably too many people here.
I get why they want to remove those who shouldn’t be here.”
But he also hopes for more compassion and case-by-case judgment, pointing to his own situation as one that deserves special consideration.
His story highlights the human side of immigration debates — a man caught between his anti-communist convictions, his contributions as an artist, and the harsh realities of U.S. immigration policy today.