A total of 130 Cuban migrants were deported this Friday from the United States on a new repatriation flight that landed at José Martí International Airport, as reported by the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) through its official channels.
Among those returned are 106 men and 24 women, and of these, five were referred to criminal investigation bodies, as they were on parole when they left the country, which complicates their legal situation under Cuban legislation, states the note published on the official portal Cubadebate.
This is the fifth air deportation operation from U.S. territory this year, bringing the total number of people returned to Cuba in 2025 from various countries in the region to 587, over a total of 19 operations.
The first deportation flight under the Trump administration, with 19 Cuban migrants arriving from the Bahamas, took place on January 23.
The 27th of February saw a second flight, with 104 Cuban migrants deported from the United States.
The 27th of March saw the arrival of the third flight in Havana with 60 Cuban migrants and the fourth flight took place on April 24, with 82 deportees from the United States.
Repatriations are carried out within the framework of bilateral migration agreements between Havana and Washington, aimed at discouraging irregular departures from the island and promoting a regular, safe, and orderly migration, as reiterated by Cuban authorities.
However, the regional and political context is becoming increasingly tense. President Donald Trump announced in April the indefinite suspension of migration talks with Cuba, which had been held biannually for years.
Additionally, on the same day as this deportation, the U.S. Supreme Court authorized the Trump administration to revoke the humanitarian parole program (CHNV), which since 2022 had allowed more than 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti to live and work temporarily in the U.S.
The ruling, which had a dissent from judges Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor, could lead to the mass expulsion of individuals currently in U.S. territory under temporary legal status, without the need for an individual assessment of each case.
This decision marks the end of a key program of Joe Biden's government, designed to reduce the migration pressure at the southern border and channel migration flows through legal mechanisms.
The island is facing a deep economic and social crisis, which has driven tens of thousands of citizens to emigrate in search of better opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Cubans from the United States
How many Cubans have been deported from the United States in 2025?
As of now, 587 Cubans have been deported to Cuba in 2025 through 19 air operations from various countries, including the United States.
Why are Cubans being deported from the United States?
Deportations are carried out as part of the bilateral migration agreements between the United States and Cuba, aimed at discouraging irregular departures and promoting regular, safe, and orderly migration. The deterioration of diplomatic relations and the new migration policies of the Donald Trump administration have also influenced the increase in these deportations.
What changes has the Trump administration made regarding humanitarian parole?
The Trump administration has revoked humanitarian parole, a program that allowed more than 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti to live and work temporarily in the United States. This decision could lead to the mass expulsion of individuals who currently have temporary legal status under this program.
How does the revocation of humanitarian parole affect Cubans in the U.S.?
The revocation of humanitarian parole leaves thousands of Cubans in a legal limbo, as they lose their legal status and protection. This could result in mass deportations, impacting those who are unable to regularize their immigration status through other legal avenues.
What has the Cuban government stated about deportations from the U.S.?
The Cuban government has maintained that the large-scale deportations of Cubans legally admitted in the United States were not contemplated in the migration agreements. Additionally, Cuba blames the U.S. for encouraging migration through economic sanctions and favorable immigration policies, although the U.S. has pointed to the Cuban government as responsible for the migration crisis.
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