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A Cuban woman identified as Lianet Peña Font was arrested by agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New Orleans and is facing deportation proceedings after being convicted of drug trafficking in the United States.
The arrest was announced by ICE on the social media platform X, where they referred to her as a "cocaine trafficker" and recalled that she was convicted of conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine, a significant amount.
For that crime, Peña Font served 24 months in a federal prison.
Another post from ICE was accompanied by a mocking message: "The smile of the Cuban criminal Lianet Peña Font does not completely hide her conviction [...] She would probably have a bigger smile if she had self-deported."
The specialized media U.S. Law Enforcement also confirmed the arrest, emphasizing that "drug traffickers do not get second chances."
The agency emphasized that Peña Font is already in the process of being expelled from the country.
The court documents reveal that her case dates back to October 27, 2023, when she was arrested by a sheriff's deputy in Cameron County in Brownsville, Texas. The woman was driving alone in a 2007 red Ford Explorer SportTrac when she was stopped for a traffic violation.
His nervousness led the officer to use a narcotics dog, which gave a positive alert.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, authorities found a bag in the back seat containing four packages with a white substance.
The tests confirmed that it was cocaine with a total weight of 4 kilograms.
During the subsequent interview with federal agents, Peña Font stated that he was working for a drug trafficking organization and that he transported the drugs "as a favor," although he admitted to having considered doing it for money on other occasions.
She was charged on November 13 and remained in custody without the right to bail.
Now, after serving his sentence, ICE has executed his arrest to begin the deportation process.
In its statement, the agency made it clear that this is an inadmissible individual in the United States and a threat to public safety.
The arrests of Cubans with criminal records are increasing
The case of Lianet Peña Font is part of a recent wave of arrests of Cubans with pending criminal charges or prior convictions in the United States.
In July, ICE and the Border Patrol reported the detention of several immigrants with convictions for sexual offenses, armed robbery, child abuse, and possession of weapons, many of whom are now also in the deportation process.
In Miami, a Cuban with convictions for indecent behavior with a minor, prostitution, and theft was arrested. He had a deportation order since 2012 but never left the country. "An alarming history," according to the head of the Border Patrol.
In Broward County, another Cuban was captured by agents in Dania Beach. He had been convicted of lewd acts with a minor under 16 years old. He now faces immediate deportation.
In Miami-Dade, ICE arrested Juan Félix Yanes Montano, 56 years old, with a history of armed robbery, burglary and kidnapping with a deadly weapon. He was classified as a "serious threat to public safety."
In New York, Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55 years old, was arrested, convicted of sexual abuse of an 11-year-old, assault with a weapon, illegal possession of firearms, and drug trafficking. He will also be deported.
Although more than 42,000 Cubans have expulsion orders in the United States, the regime in Havana refuses to accept many of them, especially if they have criminal records or have been outside the country since before 2017.
In response to this refusal, Washington has begun deporting some Cubans to third countries, including African nations such as South Sudan and Eswatini, a measure endorsed by the Supreme Court.
ICE emphasizes that there will be no tolerance for immigrants with a criminal record and that "all available legal authority" will be used to remove them from U.S. territory, even if that means sending them to countries other than their own.
Frequently Asked Questions about the arrest of Lianet Peña Font and deportations of Cubans by ICE
Why was Lianet Peña Font arrested by ICE in New Orleans?
Lianet Peña Font was arrested by ICE due to her conviction for drug trafficking, specifically for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. After serving a 24-month sentence in federal prison, she now faces a deportation process.
What is ICE's stance on immigrants with criminal records?
ICE maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards immigrants with criminal records. The agency utilizes all its legal authority to deport individuals with criminal backgrounds, viewing them as a threat to public safety. In cases where Cuba refuses to accept its citizens, the United States has begun deporting them to third countries.
What happens to Cubans who have deportation orders but are not accepted by Cuba?
When Cuba refuses to accept its citizens with deportation orders, the United States has chosen to deport them to third countries, such as South Sudan or Eswatini. This measure has been endorsed by the Supreme Court and is part of a strategy to manage the repatriation of immigrants with criminal backgrounds who are not admitted into their countries of origin.
What is the context of the recent arrests of Cubans with criminal records in the United States?
The arrests of Cubans with criminal records in the United States have increased amid stricter immigration policies under the Trump administration. ICE has intensified its operations and uses a punitive discourse in its public communications. This approach is reflected in the rising deportation of Cubans convicted of various offenses, ranging from drug trafficking to sexual crimes.
What message is ICE sending to undocumented immigrants with criminal records?
ICE is sending a clear and threatening message to undocumented immigrants with criminal records: they must self-deport before being found, as they face immediate arrest and deportation. The agency has used a provocative tone in its publications, emphasizing that there will be no tolerance for those with criminal backgrounds.
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