The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Tuesday the arrest of 275 undocumented migrants during a joint operation conducted between May 11 and May 17 in Texas, of which 178 have criminal records.
One of the detainees is a 37-year-old Cuban citizen with convictions for drug trafficking offenses, the entity emphasized.
The Cuban, arrested on May 15, has a history of convictions for manufacturing and distributing heroin and methamphetamines, as well as possession of marijuana, forgery of documents, and other charges related to narcotics offenses.
His immigration status now rests with the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) of ICE, which could attempt to expel him from the country in the coming days.
This new case arises amid a context of increasing tension for Cuban migrants in the United States, especially following the recent deportation of two citizens from the island on a controversial flight that stopped in South Sudan, a measure labeled as "inhumane" by civil rights defense attorneys.
The U.S. government has stated that it could deport citizens to a third country if they are not accepted in their countries of origin, as is the case with Cuba, where migration negotiations are suspended.
Sylvester M. Ortega, the acting director of the ICE office in San Antonio, defended the operation by stating that "immigrants with criminal records have abused our laws for too long. Our mission is clear: to protect the American people."
The operation was carried out with the support of several agencies, including the FBI, Customs and Border Patrol, the DEA, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Among the crimes recorded in the raid are domestic violence, drug trafficking, possession of firearms, assault, driving under the influence (DUI), and illegal reentry after deportation, a charge that could also apply to the detained Cuban if a previous return to the country after a removal order is confirmed.
Organizations advocating for migrants have reiterated that many Caribbean individuals, even those with prior convictions, have successfully reintegrated their lives in the United States and comply with the laws but continue to be targeted by massive immigration operations that do not discriminate based on individual circumstances.
Frequently asked questions about the immigration status of Cubans in the United States
What was the outcome of the ICE operation in Texas?
The ICE operation in Texas resulted in the arrest of 275 undocumented migrants, of which 178 had criminal records. Among those detained was a Cuban citizen with a criminal history related to drug trafficking.
What offenses does the Cuban citizen arrested in Texas have on their record?
The Cuban citizen arrested in Texas has a criminal record that includes convictions for the manufacture and distribution of heroin and methamphetamines, as well as possession of marijuana, forgery of documents, and other charges related to drug offenses.
What actions could ICE take regarding the detained Cuban?
ICE may attempt to expel the Cuban citizen from the country, as their immigration status is now in the hands of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). If Cuba refuses to accept them, they could be deported to a third country.
Why did ICE raids against Cubans in the U.S. intensify?
ICE raids have intensified as part of a more aggressive policy towards undocumented Cubans, including those who have already served their sentences. This is happening in the context of a hardening of immigration rhetoric and policies under the Trump administration.
What consequences do Cuban migrants with a history in the U.S. face?
Cuban migrants with criminal records in the U.S. face the possibility of deportation, especially if they do not have regular immigration status. Current raids do not discriminate based on individual circumstances, impacting even those who have reintegrated into American society.
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