A 33-year-old Cuban citizen was arrested on April 20 near Three Points, Arizona, for his alleged involvement in the trafficking of undocumented individuals, according to the U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) and the chief of the Tucson Sector, Sean McGoffin.
The events occurred when border agents assigned to the Tucson Station were patrolling the Ajo Highway (SR86) and detected that a Hyundai Accent was leaving an area frequently used for smuggling activities, CBP said on its website.
After conducting an inspection, the agents discovered that the Cuban driver was illegally transporting two women, a 29-year-old Mexican citizen and a 30-year-old Uzbek citizen, both without authorization to be in the country.
During the review, it was also confirmed that the Cuban did not have legal documents to reside in the United States. The three occupants were arrested on site and the vehicle was seized by the authorities.
"Almost, but not enough!" McGoffin posted on his official account on X, highlighting that the operation prevented the women from entering the country.
Background of the detainee and charges
Background checks conducted at the Tucson Station revealed that the man, who has not been identified, had been previously arrested in 2023 near Brownsville, Texas, where he claimed to fear persecution in Cuba. At that time, he was released pending an immigration hearing.
Regarding the passengers, it was revealed that the Mexican citizen had been expelled from the United States on several occasions and had been prosecuted for immigration violations in October 2024.
Both women will be processed for their deportation, while the driver faces federal charges for human trafficking, a crime for which he could be sentenced to a lengthy prison term, followed by his permanent expulsion from the country and a lifetime ban on reentry.
The authorities indicated that the case remains under investigation and that the Tucson Sector will work closely with the United States Attorney's Office to ensure that all applicable criminal charges are filed.
The Border Patrol reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking, an activity that continues to pose a serious threat to border security and the rights of migrants.
Increase in Cubans involved in human trafficking
This case adds to a growing list of Cuban citizens detained in the United States for similar offenses. One of them is Humberto Yosvany Arriola-Rivero, a 30-year-old Cuban citizen who will spend nearly a decade behind bars in a federal prison, according to the Western District of Texas Prosecutor's Office, after being convicted of conspiracy to commit human trafficking.
Arriola-Rivero was found guilty in early April of helping to detain undocumented immigrants and running a safe house in El Paso.
Another Cuban faces a 13-year prison sentence for human trafficking and possession of child pornography, after being arrested in the state of Arizona, U.S. authorities reported.
Rubén Sánchez Martínez was placed on parole in the U.S. in 2022 and was arrested again in 2023 for human trafficking while in possession of child pornography, revealed Sean McGoffin, chief of the Border Patrol in the Tucson Sector of Arizona, on the social network X.
Also involved is Rafael Rodríguez Hernández, 35 years old, a Cuban who was arrested on September 29, 2024, after being caught by officials from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) while transporting 27 people in his vessel from the Bahamas to U.S. territory.
Frequently asked questions about the detention of Cubans for human trafficking in the U.S.
Why was the Cuban citizen detained in Arizona?
The Cuban citizen was arrested for human trafficking, as he was illegally transporting two women, one a Mexican citizen and the other an Uzbek, without legal documents to be in the United States.
What are the legal consequences for a Cuban detained for human trafficking?
The Cuban citizen faces federal charges for human trafficking, which could result in a long prison sentence. Additionally, he will face permanent expulsion from the United States and a lifetime ban on reentry.
Is it common for Cubans to be arrested for human trafficking in the U.S.?
Yes, the case of the Cuban arrested in Arizona adds to a growing list of Cuban citizens detained in the United States for similar offenses. Human trafficking is a recurring issue among some Cuban immigrants in the U.S., often leading to convictions and deportations.
What measures is the U.S. Border Patrol taking against human trafficking?
The U.S. Border Patrol has reaffirmed its commitment to combating human trafficking, an activity they consider a serious threat to border security and the rights of migrants. They are working together with the U.S. Attorney's Office to ensure that all applicable criminal charges are filed.
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