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Heriberto Rivero Carrera, a 29-year-old Cuban judoka who represented the island in international competitions and fled from a sports delegation, was detained by ICE agents last Friday, June 13, in an immigration court in Miami.
He was arrested upon leaving the hearing, a recurring practice since late May in several states, not just in Florida.
The arrest has raised concerns among the young athlete's family, as they believe he could face severe repercussions if returned to Cuba.
Rivero arrived in the United States in 2022 after deserting from an official Cuban sports delegation during a trip to Mexico.
He crossed the southern border and received an I-220A document, which allowed him to stay legally in the country while his immigration process was underway.
Since his arrival, Rivero has been dedicated to working and building a life in South Florida, according to his family.
However, her stay in the country is now in serious jeopardy following her arrest at the immigration court.
An audience without a voice or defense
“He spent many years on the national team of Cuba. He is a hardworking young man. Since he arrived in this country, he has been working. The judge would not even listen to him. He did not give him a chance to explain himself, and right then immigration stopped him and took him away,” his mother lamented in statements made to Univision.
The family alleges that Heriberto did not have the opportunity to present his version of events or to have adequate representation. Additionally, there is the fear of what he might face if he is deported back to the island.
“Everyone knows what it means to defect from a national team, being an athlete like he was,” added the mother, emphasizing her son's high profile within Cuban sports and the stigma that defection carries under the regime in Havana.
Cuban legislation imposes penalties on athletes who abandon official delegations, including lengthy bans on re-entry to the country and social marginalization.
In many cases, they are also denied access to employment or are even monitored by State Security
A pregnant couple without support
The situation is even more distressing for Rivero's partner, also Cuban, who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy.
The young woman, visibly affected, expressed her fear for the future of both.
“If they deport him and let him enter Cuba, what future will he have in Cuba? None. They won’t give him a job anywhere, nothing, if they don’t make him disappear”, he stated, fearing not only for the economic and social situation that Heriberto would face but also for his own safety.
"He is the only person I have here. I don't have any other family members in this country," she added with a trembling voice, highlighting the absence of a support network beyond her partner.
So far, there have been no reports on whether Rivero's family has managed to hire a lawyer to defend his case, nor if they know which detention center the athlete is in.
Frequently asked questions about the detention of Cuban judoka Heriberto Rivero Carrera
Why was Heriberto Rivero Carrera detained by ICE?
Heriberto Rivero Carrera, a Cuban judoka who defected from an official delegation, was arrested by ICE agents in an immigration court in Miami. His arrest occurred following a hearing where he was not allowed to defend himself properly, raising concerns about his potential deportation to Cuba.
What risks does Heriberto face if he is deported to Cuba?
Heriberto could face severe reprisals if he is returned to Cuba due to his defection from an official delegation. The Cuban regime imposes penalties on defecting athletes, such as prohibitions on re-entry to the country and social marginalization. Additionally, he may encounter difficulties in finding employment and surveillance by State Security.
What is the legal situation of Heriberto Rivero in the United States?
Heriberto Rivero arrived in the United States in 2022 and received an I-220A document, allowing him to stay legally while his immigration process progressed. However, his detention by ICE jeopardizes his stay in the country, and so far, there has been no information on whether he has legal representation for his defense.
How does Heriberto's arrest affect his family in the U.S.?
The detention of Heriberto Rivero has caused distress for his partner, who is pregnant and financially dependent on him. The couple fears for their future if Heriberto is deported, as they do not have a support network in the United States, further complicating their situation.
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