A Cuban with a violent criminal history, which includes convictions for sexual assault using a weapon and escape from custody, has been deported by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Rafael Ojeda Acosta, with a criminal record for rape with a weapon, sexual assault and sodomy of a woman, theft, breaking and entering, burglary, and escape from custody, was arrested by ICE agents in New Orleans, Louisiana, authorities announced.
The brief statement from ICE, published this Sunday on the social media platform X, does not specify when or where the Cuban citizen was deported, who, instead of being sent to Cuba, could have been relocated to a third country considering the reluctance of the Havana government to accept back emigrants with criminal records or who have been outside the country since before 2017.
According to official figures, 42,084 Cubans are in the U.S. with final deportation orders, under supervised release, but the island's regime refuses to accept them.
In its publication, ICE warned about the dangerousness of Ojeda Acosta, although it did not provide further details about his convictions in the U.S.
His arrest is part of an aggressive national operation by the Trump administration to remove from the streets and deport individuals deemed "the worst of the worst," under a policy of "zero tolerance" towards dangerous criminals, particularly those with a history of sexual offenses.
Another Cuban arrested in New Orleans for sexual offenses
The ICE office in New Orleans also announced the arrest of Cuban citizen Jorge Ricardo Cajides Vegas, convicted as a sex offender.
Cajides' criminal background includes child sexual assault and indecency with a minor, the agency's report noted.
"Ice warned that illegal foreign criminals who take advantage of innocent children are not welcome in the United States."
Last week, another citizen Cuban with a long criminal record and a final deportation order was arrested by immigration authorities in Hollywood, Florida. His convictions include kidnapping a minor, illegal sexual activity with a minor, grand theft, and multiple misdemeanor offenses.
The recent arrests of Cuban immigrants in the U.S. with criminal records for sexual assaults and other serious charges add to a series of arrests of citizens from the island carried out by ICE and other federal and state agencies.
Illegal immigrants detained by ICE, many of whom are convicted of serious crimes, are subject to deportation proceedings to their countries of origin or to third countries, in case their home governments refuse to take them back.
The strict immigration strategy promoted by President Donald Trump aims to capture and deport immigrants without legal status or those deemed a threat to the country's public safety.
Frequently asked questions about the deportation of Cubans with criminal records in the U.S.
Why was Rafael Ojeda Acosta deported from the United States?
Rafael Ojeda Acosta was deported from the United States due to his violent criminal record, which included convictions for rape with a weapon, sexual assault, and other serious offenses. ICE officials deemed his presence in the U.S. a threat to public safety.
What happens to Cubans who have a deportation order in the U.S.?
A total of 42,084 Cubans are in the U.S. with final deportation orders, but due to the Cuban regime's reluctance to accept them, the United States has considered deporting them to third countries. Last May, for example, two Cubans with criminal records were deported to South Sudan.
What is the Trump administration's deportation policy regarding immigrants with criminal records?
The Trump administration has promoted a "zero tolerance" policy towards dangerous criminals, especially those with a history of sexual offenses. This policy aims to capture and deport individuals deemed "the worst of the worst", which has resulted in numerous arrests and deportations of immigrants with criminal records in the U.S.
What crimes did Jorge Ricardo Cajides Vegas commit to be detained by ICE?
Jorge Ricardo Cajides Vegas, a Cuban citizen, was arrested by ICE in New Orleans due to his criminal record which includes child sexual assault and indecency with a minor. ICE stated that illegal criminal foreigners who take advantage of innocent children are not welcome in the United States.
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