The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested two citizens of Cuban descent with serious criminal records on Thursday, August 14, during operations carried out in Texas and California.
The ICE page "The Worst of the Worst" reported that in Austin, Texas, ICE agents in San Antonio arrested Juan Romero-Limia, 50 years old, convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and previously sentenced to six years in prison.
On the same day, in Riverside, California, the ICE team from Los Angeles arrested Gustavo José González-Recarey, 61 years old, convicted of lewd and lascivious acts with a minor, a crime for which he served an 11-year prison sentence.
Both cases are part of the campaign titled “the worst of the worst” that ICE launched to showcase the profile of recently detained foreign criminals.
The agency emphasizes that each of them poses a risk to public safety in the United States and that they are currently in custody or have been expelled from the country.
"Each of the undocumented immigrants you see here has been convicted or accused of heinous crimes that endanger the American public, but they are currently in ICE custody or have already been expelled from the United States," the site writes.
As in other cases, it has not been specified whether his expulsion will be directly to Cuba or to a third country, although the file places him on the top priority list for removal from the United States.
Among the recent arrests of Cubans with serious criminal records is Osvaldo Rabiero Álvarez, 72 years old, convicted of forgery, trafficking in cocaine and heroin, robbery, and aggravated assault.
In Florida, ICE arrested Andrés Guilarte, who has a history of cocaine trafficking and motor vehicle theft.
In New Orleans, at the end of July, Eduardo Luis Machín Pozo, 64 years old, was also apprehended, having previous convictions for drug trafficking and possession of hazardous substances in Alabama.
Sometimes, deportation does not take place because the Cuban government refuses to accept nationals with criminal records, which forces U.S. authorities to send them to third countries.
The expulsion to countries other than their places of origin was recently authorized by the Supreme Court of the United States, overturning a previous court order that required the government to give those affected a meaningful opportunity to explain the risks they would face in those destinations.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Detention of Cubans by ICE in the United States
Why is ICE arresting Cubans with criminal records?
ICE is arresting Cubans with criminal records as part of its campaign "The Worst of the Worst," which aims to identify and apprehend foreign criminals who pose a risk to public safety in the United States. This strategy is part of a broader effort to intensify immigration enforcement and remove immigrants with serious criminal histories.
What happens to Cubans detained by ICE who have criminal records?
Cuban nationals detained by ICE with criminal records face deportation proceedings. However, in many cases, deportation to Cuba does not occur due to the Cuban government's refusal to accept its nationals with criminal backgrounds. In such situations, detainees may be deported to third countries, a practice authorized by the Supreme Court of the United States.
How many Cubans are considered deportable in the United States?
According to statistics from the Department of Homeland Security, more than 42,000 Cubans in the United States are considered deportable. Many of them are under supervised release or detained in detention centers, awaiting their deportation.
How does the U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration affect Cubans?
The immigration policy of the United States under the Trump administration has intensified raids and deportations of illegal immigrants with criminal records. Cubans with irregular status or serious convictions are the target of ICE, and many face deportation to third countries due to Cuba's refusal to accept them. This policy has generated fear and frustration among immigrant communities, who seek opportunities and freedom in the United States.
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