Two Cuban brothers who participated in the protests on July 11, 2021 (11J) in Cuba are currently detained by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), according to Cuban activist Cristhian González, as reported through Martí Noticias.
It concerns Liosmel Sánchez and Liosbel Sánchez, who remain in custody at immigration detention centers in the state of Arizona. Liosbel is detained at the Florence detention center, while his brother has been transferred elsewhere.
Both face a possible deportation to Cuba, which has raised alarm among activists and members of the exiled community.
According to González, the young people arrived in the United States on December 3, 2024, after spending a year in Mexico and completing the entry process via CBP One.
Once on U.S. soil, they applied for political asylum, participated in court hearings, and fulfilled the steps required by immigration authorities.
However, on May 20, 2025, following a hearing in which his case was dismissed by the court, they were detained by ICE agents outside the courthouse.
The activist reported irregularities in the process of both detainees, stating that their right to contact their lawyer has not been guaranteed during the credible fear interviews.
In the case of Liosmel, this interview was conducted on a Sunday at 6:30 a.m., without allowing prior communication with his legal defense, something that González described as a serious violation of due process. Liosbel is now facing a similar situation, and he would also be subjected to such an interview without the presence or guidance of his lawyer.
“They have evidence of their participation in the protests of July 11, of having been persecuted in Cuba for political reasons. Returning them to the island would be condemning them to prison,” González warned, who also called on Cuban-American congress members to intervene in the case.
In Cuba, Liosmel was a medical student, until his third or fourth year, and, along with his brother, actively participated in the protests of 11J. Both were critical of the Cuban regime, which made them targets of harassment by State Security.
González assures that, even because of his friendship with them, he too was the target of threats, illustrating the level of persecution they faced on the island.
The activist insisted that young people have no criminal records and have not violated any laws in the United States, emphasizing that they are only looking to rebuild their lives away from repression. “We are not asking for them to be released by magic, just that due process be respected,” he stated.
The case of the Sánchez brothers is not isolated. In September 2024, the situation of José Antonio Cue Monzón became known, a young Cuban who participated in the protests on July 11 in Cárdenas, Matanzas.
Cue was sentenced to 10 years in prison in Cuba for the alleged crimes of “sabotage” and “public disorder.” Furthermore, the young man carried documents from the court that tried him, as evidence of the political persecution against him.
Recently, the case of the rapper El Funky, an exile and a key figure in the protest song Patria y Vida, became known as he faces a deportation order. In May 2025, the artist revealed on social media that he had “30 days to leave the country or be deported”, after residing in the U.S. for three years.
El Funky was pursued in Cuba for his activism, his collaboration with the San Isidro Movement, and his ties to opposition figures Maykel Osorbo and Luis Manuel Otero Alcántara. Since his arrival in the U.S. in 2021, he has maintained a critical stance against the Cuban regime through his music, with songs like Paro Nacional and Warrior, dedicated to political prisoners.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Detention of Cuban Brothers by ICE and Potential Deportation
Why were the Cuban brothers Liosmel and Liosbel Sánchez detained by ICE?
The brothers Liosmel and Liosbel Sánchez were detained by ICE following the dismissal of their case in an immigration hearing. They arrived in the U.S. seeking political asylum due to their participation in the protests on July 11, 2021, in Cuba and facing political persecution on the island. However, after a hearing in May 2025, ICE detained them, arguing the absence of a favorable resolution in their immigration process.
What irregularities have been reported in the case of the Sánchez brothers?
The activist Cristhian González denounced that the Sánchez brothers were denied proper contact with their legal representative during the credible fear interviews. This situation has been deemed a violation of due process, as they were deprived of a fundamental right for their defense in the asylum procedure.
What consequences do the Sánchez brothers face if they are deported to Cuba?
If the Sánchez brothers are deported to Cuba, they could face imprisonment due to their involvement in the protests of July 11 and their opposition to the Cuban regime. Activist González warned that their return to the island would not only expose them to imprisonment but also to continued political persecution.
What are the community and activists doing to support the Sánchez brothers?
Activists and members of the exiled community have called on Cuban-American congress members to intervene in the case of the Sánchez brothers. Additionally, they are trying to make the situation go viral to generate public pressure and ensure that due process is respected in their asylum case.
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