The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released images of the recent arrest of a Cuban citizen, an illegal resident in the country with convictions for manufacturing and distributing drugs, during an operation carried out in San Antonio, Texas.
Luis Alba Navarro, 37 years old, has an extensive criminal record, with convictions for manufacturing and distributing heroin and methamphetamines, as well as possession and sale of marijuana, forgery of documents, and other charges related to drug offenses, as revealed in a statement published on the agency's official website.
Alba Navarro was arrested on May 15 during a joint operation between ICE and other agencies, such as the FBI, Border Patrol, the DEA, and the Texas Department of Public Safety. The operations led to the arrest of 275 undocumented immigrants between the 11th and the 17th of this month, of which 178 have criminal records.
An immigration judge had ordered the deportation of Alba Navarro on March 1, 2018, but he did not self-deport, authorities indicated.
His detention and imminent deportation add to those of numerous immigrants from the island with illegal status and criminal records, as part of the tightening of immigration policy by the U.S. government following the return of President Donald Trump to the White House in January.
The most notable case has been the deportation of two Cuban citizens with extensive criminal records to South Sudan.
Enrique Arias Hierro, 47 years old and residing in Miami-Dade County, and José Manuel Rodríguez Quiñones, 54, who lived in Volusia, Orange, and Brevard counties, were part of a coordinated operation by ICE that included a total of eight foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes and with final deportation orders.
Arias Hierro had been convicted of homicide, robbery with violence, kidnapping, and identity theft, while Rodríguez Quiñones was convicted of attempted murder, theft, and animal trafficking. Both were classified by ICE as threats to public and national security.
The controversial deportation operation to South Sudan is part of the Trump administration's strategy to relocate immigrants who are not accepted in their countries of origin, as is the case with Cuba.
The number of Cubans with deportation orders in the U.S. has risen to 42,084, but the regime in Havana refuses to accept them.
Last week, it was reported that ICE agents in the city of Sacramento, California, arrested the Cuban Pedro Sánchez Izquierdo, whose record includes a conviction for murder.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Cubans with Criminal Records in the U.S.
Why was Luis Alba Navarro arrested in Texas?
Luis Alba Navarro was arrested in Texas due to his status as an undocumented resident in the U.S. and his convictions for drug manufacturing and distribution, as well as for marijuana sales. The arrest took place during a joint operation involving agencies such as ICE, the FBI, the Border Patrol, the DEA, and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
What immigration policies are being implemented under the Trump administration regarding illegal immigrants?
The Trump administration has intensified immigration policies focused on the deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. This includes relocating immigrants to third countries when their home nations do not accept them, as is the case with Cuba. These actions have been criticized for their harshness and for the lack of consideration of due process.
What does deportation to a "third country" mean and why is it used?
Deportation to a "third country" is a practice where immigrants are relocated to a country that is not their nation of origin. This is used when the immigrant's home country, such as Cuba, refuses to accept them back. This strategy has been employed by the Trump administration to manage the repatriation of immigrants with criminal records.
How many Cubans are currently under deportation orders in the U.S.?
In the United States, there are more than 42,084 Cuban citizens with deportation orders. However, the regime in Havana refuses to accept them, complicating the repatriation processes.
Filed under:
