Eduardo Núñez González, a Cuban citizen with Spanish nationality who has lived in the United States for over a decade, was arrested by federal agents on March 20 right in front of his home in North Miami.
Since then, his wife, Vilma Pérez Delgado, has not stopped searching for answers regarding the reason for his arrest, nor has she been able to reunite with him.
It all happened on the morning of last Thursday.
Eduardo left his home as usual to take out the trash when several men approached him and stopped him a few steps from his front door.
The moment was captured by the family's security camera.
“They had him against the trash bin, without reading his rights, without asking for papers,” his wife reported in statements to the local press.
Vilma was inside the house and was surprised shortly after when agents dressed in FBI jackets knocked on her door at 7:30 a.m.
The agents' refusal to explain the specific reasons for the arrest has created deep uncertainty within the family.
"Can I say goodbye to him? They said no, that he had already been arrested," Vilma recalled in a trembling voice.
Ten years in the U.S. and a migration process full of obstacles
Vilma and Eduardo arrived in the United States over 10 years ago from Spain.
Although both are Cuban citizens and also hold Spanish nationality, only Vilma was able to regularize her immigration status under the Cuban Adjustment Act, becoming a U.S. citizen.
In Eduardo's case, his situation was different.
For years, he has been renewing work permits while trying to obtain citizenship, but his process has been marred by lost documents, file transfers, and administrative delays.
"The same circumstances he has, I have, and I am already an American citizen," Vilma pointed out.
According to him, "the first time it took them seven years to respond. First, the file was lost, then it was sent to another location, he went to the interview and the file didn't show up."
In 2023, they submitted their application again, but the situation became complicated once more.
In May 2024, immigration authorities requested that he update the expired documents and submit a list of requirements, including a 2017 traffic ticket in Naples for speeding.
"The only thing he did was like everyone else: exceed the speed limit in his car. He got a ticket and we paid it," his wife explained.
Five days in Krome and transfer to Broward
After his arrest, Eduardo was taken to the Krome Detention Center, where he stayed for at least five days.
According to Vilma, her husband was there without a bed, without proper food or water, in concerning conditions.
"I am alarmed because my husband is not the only one who is like this. There are sick people there," she said with tears.
Subsequently, he was taken to the Broward Transition Center, but to date, the family is still unaware of the specific charges against him.
Support from the community and reports on the immigration system
Vilma has collected over 500 signatures in support of her husband and hopes that this action will help bring attention to the case. Additionally, she has received support from civil rights advocates such as attorney Katie Blankenship, who has raised concerns about a troubling pattern.
"We are seeing people detained just for a traffic violation and others who have had no interaction with an officer," Blankenship explained; who also reported that the Krome center "is overcrowded, people are sleeping on the floor, they are in small spaces, and without a bathroom. It is a violation of human rights."
The lawyer advised families to be informed about their rights: “Unless ICE accompanies them with a court order, they do not have to open the door or answer questions. They should also take safety precautions with their families.”
"He has no criminal record."
Vilma insists that her husband is an upright man, with no criminal record either in Cuba or in the United States.
"He has no offenses either there or here," he assured. "The only thing he did was what we all have done: he sped a little in his car and got a ticket. And he paid it. That's all there is to it."
The family hopes to receive a clear response from the authorities soon. In the meantime, Vilma continues to fight with all the resources at her disposal.
"I am his wife; you should give me an explanation," she demands.
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