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A former Cuban intelligence agent was arrested on the morning of this Wednesday in the United States for alleged fraud related to his status as a legal permanent resident (LPR).
The Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) office in Miami confirmed the arrest through its official account on social media platform X, informing that the action was carried out in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
"HSI and its partners will continue their efforts to identify and apprehend individuals who pose a threat to our national security," the statement emphasized.
The arrest underscores the efforts of U.S. authorities to investigate and prosecute cases of immigration fraud, particularly those involving individuals with prior connections to foreign intelligence entities.
So far, the identity of the detainee has not been revealed, and they may face a deportation process.
A source from ICE revealed to the news portal CaféFuerte that the arrest of the former agent took place in a neighborhood near Weston, in Broward County.
He also added that both his identification and a video of the arrest will be released this Thursday.
"It is important to emphasize that this is an administrative arrest and that the detained person will undergo a legal process to determine if there were any irregularities in their case," added the source, as cited by Café Fuerte.
The case is currently under review by federal authorities in Washington DC, the outlet emphasized.
The case of former agents of the Cuban State Security facing legal issues in the United States has generated various reactions in recent years.
In June 2019, it was reported that a former Cuban agent could be sentenced to 20 years in prison, identified as Saúl Santos Ferro, which sparked a debate about the accountability of these officials after leaving the regime.
Santos pleaded guilty to lying to authorities about his military past in Cuba when applying for permanent residency in the U.S. and to fraud to obtain Social Security benefits.
In September, Santos was sentenced to six months in prison for lying to obtain a permanent resident visa in the United States.
After serving the sentence, the ex-officer will be on probation for two years for misrepresenting information about his ties to the Cuban regime when filling out the immigration form, according to the ruling issued by a federal judge.
In 2024, the Cuban regime rejected Santos, who was deported from the United States, and sent him back to Miami on the same plane he traveled to Havana.
The former agent was part of a group of 48 Cubans who were returned to Cuba; however, the Cuban government refused to accept him, leading to the assumption that he was living freely in Miami.
Frequently asked questions about the arrest of a former Cuban intelligence officer in the U.S.
Why was the former Cuban intelligence agent arrested in the U.S.?
The former Cuban intelligence agent was arrested in the United States for alleged fraud related to the fraudulent acquisition of his permanent legal resident (LPR) status. This arrest is part of efforts by U.S. authorities to identify and prosecute cases of immigration fraud.
What are the implications of the arrest of a former Cuban intelligence agent for U.S. national security?
The arrest underscores U.S. authorities' concerns about national security by identifying and detaining individuals with previous ties to foreign intelligence entities. Authorities believe that such individuals may pose a threat to the national security of the U.S., which is why they focus on preventing their entry or unlawful presence in the country.
What is the current migration context in the U.S. related to Cuba and other countries?
Currently, the immigration context in the U.S. has become stricter under the administration of Donald Trump, who has implemented tougher policies against illegal immigration. This includes operations to detain illegal immigrants and execute mass deportations, impacting individuals from various countries, including Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and Nicaragua.
What actions are U.S. authorities taking to combat immigration fraud?
U.S. authorities, through agencies like ICE and HSI, are conducting operations to identify and arrest individuals involved in immigration fraud. Stricter verification measures are being implemented, and collaboration with international entities is taking place to prevent and prosecute fraud cases.
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