Agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New Orleans arrested Rainel Pedroso, a Cuban national sentenced in the United States to 15 months in prison for human trafficking.
According to the official ICE report, Pedroso's criminal record includes a conviction for transporting an undocumented foreigner. The note, accompanied by a photo of the Cuban handcuffed in a detention center, does not provide further details about his case.
The ICE office in New Orleans also announced this month the arrest of another Cuban, Osmani Mompié, for conspiring to transport illegal immigrants, putting their lives at risk.
Although in neither case did the authorities specify whether they have already been deported or if expulsion proceedings have been initiated, the measure is considered a done deal.
ICE has reiterated that there will be no tolerance for illegal immigrants with a criminal history and that it will use “all available legal authority” to remove them from U.S. territory, even to third countries in the event that the governments of their nations refuse to accept them.
As of December 2024, the number of deportable Cuban citizens reached 42,084. However, the regime in Havana refuses to accept many of them, particularly those with criminal records or who have been outside the country since before 2017.
Numerous Cubans with irregular status in the U.S. and previous criminal convictions or pending criminal charges have been detained in recent months and have been deported or are awaiting expulsion.
The Administration Trump has deported citizens from the island to third countries. In recent deportation operations, three of them - convicted of serious crimes - were sent to South Sudan (2) and Eswatini (1) in Africa.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Arrests of Cubans by ICE and Immigration Policies in the U.S.
Why was Rainel Pedroso arrested by ICE in New Orleans?
Rainel Pedroso was arrested by ICE in New Orleans due to his conviction for human trafficking. Pedroso, a Cuban citizen, had been sentenced to 15 months in prison for transporting an undocumented foreign national. This arrest is part of a broader ICE operation to apprehend immigrants with criminal records in the United States.
What is ICE's policy regarding immigrants with criminal records?
ICE has reiterated that there will be no tolerance for illegal immigrants with a criminal history. The agency will use all available legal authority to remove these individuals from U.S. territory, even deporting them to third countries if their countries of origin refuse to accept them.
What challenges does the United States face in deporting Cuban citizens?
The regime in Havana refuses to accept many deportable Cuban citizens, especially those with criminal records or who have been outside the country since before 2017. This complicates the immigration operations of the United States, which has had to consider deportation to third countries in some cases.
How many Cubans with deportation orders are there in the United States?
By December 2024, the number of deportable Cuban citizens reached 42,084. These individuals are under supervised release in the U.S., awaiting the resolution of their immigration status, as the Cuban government refuses to accept them.
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