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A Cuban citizen with a long criminal record that includes kidnapping and unlawful sexual activity with a minor, and a final order of deportation was arrested by immigration authorities in Hollywood, Florida.
The arrest took place on June 25, during "a law enforcement operation aimed at combating foreign criminals," reported Michael W. Banks, chief of the United States Border Patrol (USBP) on the social media platform X.
The Cuban, whose name has not been disclosed, has been convicted of illegal sexual activity with a minor, kidnapping of a minor, grand theft, and multiple arrests for other misdemeanors.
Banks emphasized that the man is in the custody of the authorities and the deportation order will be enforced.
The arrest of this Cuban with a criminal record for child abuse and other offenses adds to a series of recent arrests of citizens from the island, carried out by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal and state agencies in the context of a vast national operation to capture and deport individuals deemed “the worst of the worst” by U.S. immigration authorities.
Vladimir Blanco Menéndez, a 45-year-old Cuban citizen, convicted of unlawful sexual activity with a minor in Palm Beach County, Florida, was arrested by ICE in Miami.
Also in that city, Gaspar Minardo Velázquez Ávila, 64, was arrested for having multiple charges of sexual assaults against minors.
Illegal immigrants detained by ICE, many of whom are convicted of serious crimes, are undergoing procedures to deport them to their countries of origin or to third countries, in case their home governments do not accept them back.
According to official figures, 42,084 Cubans are in the U.S. with final deportation orders, under supervised release, but the Havana government refuses to accept them.
The regime has shown reluctance to accept the return of those who have been outside the country since before 2017 or who have criminal records, which has forced the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to seek alternative solutions, such as the express deportation in May of two Cuban nationals to South Sudan, a high-risk country.
In a context of growing tensions between the judiciary and the Trump administration, on June 23, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of resuming the deportations of immigrants to third countries, without prior notice or the opportunity to contest their removal from the country.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arrests of Cubans with Criminal Records in the United States
Why was a Cuban citizen arrested in Hollywood, Florida?
The Cuban citizen was arrested due to his extensive criminal record, which includes convictions for kidnapping and illicit sexual activity with a minor. Additionally, he had an active final deportation order. His detention was part of an operation aimed at capturing foreign criminals deemed dangerous.
How many Cubans in the U.S. have deportation orders?
According to official figures, 42,084 Cubans are in the United States with final deportation orders. However, the government of Cuba has refused to accept them, especially those with criminal records or who have been outside the country since before 2017.
What measures has the Trump administration taken regarding deportations?
The Trump administration has intensified immigration policies, allowing deportations to third countries without prior notice or the opportunity to object. This has enabled immigrants to be deported to nations like South Sudan, without safety guarantees for those being deported.
How does this affect the Cuban community in the United States?
The Cuban community in the U.S. is under increased scrutiny due to the intensification of immigration policies. Recent arrests of Cubans with criminal records have raised concerns among migrants who fear deportations without due process.
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