Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez, a 62-year-old former Cuban judge who was honored on national television less than a year and a half ago for her "loyalty to the revolution," was deported to the Island this Saturday after being accused by U.S. authorities of entering the country while hiding her active membership in the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC).
The news was confirmed by the former official to journalist Mario J. Pentón during a phone call from Havana.
"I'm at home with my partner. I'm fine. I arrived in Cuba today. I think I had an experience. Having experiences is a good thing. I lived for at least—given the circumstances—but I lived—21 days in the United States. I didn't know it. It's something I got to know," he shared in the conversation.
In reference to the accusations from the United States government, the woman stated, "Men make mistakes," and described herself as a humble woman. "Life goes on. We all make mistakes. We all have the right to make mistakes."
The detention of Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez became known on March 20, after agents from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intercepted her at Miami International Airport.
Acanda arrived at that airfield with an immigrant visa, obtained after being sponsored by his son, a U.S. citizen, as reported by Mario J. Pentón.
A statement from CBP argued that the former judge lied during the visa process, omitting key information about her professional background and ideological ties.
The agency confirmed that the woman admitted to having provided false statements to gain an advantage in the U.S. immigration process.
"He had direct ties to the Cuban government and identified himself as a member of the PCC," specified an official with knowledge of the case, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to an ongoing investigation.
The authorities then warned that he was in the process of deportation from the country and possible federal prosecution.
A large number of former officials and repressors of the regime have entered the United States taking advantage of visa programs, reunification, or humanitarian pathways.
Among the most notable are Eduardo Enríquez Blanco, a former agent of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) linked to the state-owned technological intelligence company DATYS, now residing in Miami.
Also Rosabel Roca Sampedro, former prosecutor in Camagüey, currently in Houston, Texas; Liván Fuentes Álvarez, former president of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power in the Isle of Youth, who was denied entry; and Manuel Menéndez Castellanos, former first secretary of the PCC in Cienfuegos and collaborator of Fidel Castro, who arrived in Miami in August 2024, Pentón recalled.
Frequently asked questions about the deportation of the former Cuban judge Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez
Why was Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez deported from the United States?
Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez was deported from the United States for concealing her active membership in the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and her history as an official in the Cuban judicial system during her immigrant visa application process. U.S. authorities determined that she provided false information to benefit from the immigration process.
What was Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez's reaction after her deportation to Cuba?
After being deported to Cuba, Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez stated that she was fine and regarded her experience in the United States as just another life event. She expressed that "everyone has the right to make mistakes" and described her experience as a learning opportunity, despite the challenging circumstances.
What measures has the United States taken to prevent the entry of former officials of the Cuban regime?
The United States has strengthened immigration scrutiny to prevent the entry of former officials and repressors of the Cuban regime. This includes ongoing reviews of visa holders to ensure compliance with all immigration laws and regulations. Authorities have emphasized that the issuance of a visa does not guarantee permanent entry into the country and that any attempt at fraud will be penalized with deportation.
What other cases similar to that of Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez have occurred in the United States?
There have been several cases of former Cuban officials attempting to enter the United States while concealing their ties to the Cuban regime. Among them are Eduardo Enríquez Blanco, a former agent of MININT; Rosabel Roca Sampedro, a former prosecutor in Camagüey; and Manuel Menéndez Castellanos, a former first secretary of the PCC in Cienfuegos. These cases have generated backlash within the Cuban-American community and have led to calls for strengthened immigration controls.
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