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Misael Enamorado Dager, who served as the first secretary of the Communist Party in the province of Santiago de Cuba from 2001 to 2009, has been included in a list of 100 Cuban citizens who, according to a report presented by Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez, are to be investigated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in the United States with a view to their possible deportation.
Enamorado, currently residing in Houston, Texas, entered the United States under the parole program in circumstances that came to light in December 2023.
According to a source close to the independent media 14ymedio, the former leader reportedly traveled with his wife Lourdes to meet with their son, who has been living in the country for several years and is believed to have started the immigration process.
Enamorado's political history in Cuba is extensive. After leaving his position in Santiago in 2009, he was promoted in 2011 as Secretary of the PCC during the VI Congress of the organization, joining the political core alongside prominent figures of Castroism such as Esteban Lazo and José Ramón Machado Ventura.
However, his career took a turn in 2013 when he was excluded from the Central Committee as part of a restructuring led by Raúl Castro. Since then, he remained away from the public eye until he eventually emigrated.
The report presented by Giménez, titled "Cuban Repressors in the United States of America", denounces the presence in U.S. territory of former Cuban officials, ex-military personnel, and intelligence agents, who are accused of having participated in acts of repression on the Island.
According to the legislator, allowing these individuals to remain in the United States contradicts the principles of freedom and democracy of the country.
"The presence of these regime operatives not only endangers our communities but also provides the Cuban regime with a foundation for espionage, political coercion, and illicit activities within our borders," warned Giménez in a letter addressed to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
The congressman also questioned the use of legal tools such as the Cuban Adjustment Act and humanitarian programs to protect individuals with direct ties to the communist regime, pointing out that these instruments were created to protect victims, not oppressors.
The request has been supported by sectors of the Cuban exile community that have long demanded stricter review of the background of applicants for asylum or parole. They argue that the arrival of former regime officials is an affront to those who have fled repression and seek justice.
So far, the DHS has not issued an official statement regarding the report nor confirmed specific actions concerning the names included. However, the case of Tomás Emilio Hernández Cruz— a former intelligence officer recently arrested in Florida for concealing information in his immigration application— could set a precedent in the handling of these cases.
The inclusion of Misael Enamorado on the list reinforces the growing political pressure to cleanse the presence in the United States of figures linked to the Cuban repressive apparatus, opening the door to potential future investigations and deportations in the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Misael Enamorado and Other Former Cuban Officials in the U.S.
Who is Misael Enamorado and why is his deportation from the U.S. being requested?
Misael Enamorado is a former leader of the Communist Party of Cuba who served as the first secretary in the province of Santiago de Cuba from 2001 to 2009. His deportation from the U.S. is being sought due to his ties to the Cuban regime and his alleged involvement in acts of repression on the island. His inclusion on the list of 100 Cubans to be investigated was promoted by Congressman Carlos Giménez, who denounces the presence of former Cuban officials in the U.S. as a threat to national security and to the principles of freedom and democracy in the country.
What is the report "Cuban Repressors in the United States of America" and who presented it?
The report, titled "Cuban Repressors in the United States of America," was presented by Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez. The document lists 100 Cuban citizens residing in the U.S. who are accused of participating in acts of repression in Cuba. Giménez requests the Department of Homeland Security to investigate and consider the deportation of these individuals, arguing that their presence in the U.S. is incompatible with the values of the country.
What repercussions could the deportation of former Cuban officials have in the U.S.?
The deportation of former Cuban officials could strengthen the U.S. stance against the Cuban regime and send a clear message about the country's commitment to human rights. It could also increase political pressure on the Havana regime and set a precedent for future immigration cases involving individuals with repressive backgrounds. However, it could also have diplomatic repercussions and affect bilateral relations between the U.S. and Cuba.
What is the Cuban government's stance on deportations from the U.S.?
The Cuban government has criticized deportations from the U.S., labeling them as immoral and pointing out that many of those deported were victims of deception and external pressures. The regime blames U.S. sanctions policies and the economic blockade for encouraging the irregular emigration of Cubans. However, they overlook their own responsibility in the economic and political crisis that drives thousands of Cubans to seek a better life outside the island.
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