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The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested a Cuban in Texas this weekend who had over 20 criminal convictions for offenses committed in four states in the U.S.
Roslandy García Cruz, 41 years old, classified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of the United States as a "serial offender," has a record that includes 23 convictions for "knowingly and with intent to defraud possessing 15 or more counterfeit or unauthorized access devices, possession of criminal tools, forgery, and a violation of probation," emphasized a statement released on the agency's official site.
The DHS highlighted the case of García Cruz at the top of its list of illegal immigrants arrested over the weekend, referring to them as “the worst of the worst”. His arrest occurred on Sunday by ICE agents in the city of San Antonio.
“Gone are the days when illegal immigrant criminals terrorized American citizens,” stated the Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, following the recent arrests, which also included undocumented immigrants with convictions for sexual offenses against minors, cocaine trafficking, and solicitation of prostitution.
“While Americans were enjoying their weekend, ICE was hard at work arresting pedophiles, scammers, drug traffickers, and other violent criminals to make the United States safe again,” warned the official, who blamed the administration of President Joe Biden for “allowing serial offenders to take advantage of Americans.”
In April 2023, the local press in San Antonio reported on the arrest of a Cuban immigrant for identity theft.
The police apprehended García Cruz during an undercover operation at a recreational vehicle dealership while he was attempting to purchase one valued at over $58,000 using a stolen Texas driver's license, journalist Robert Price revealed on the social media platform X.
By then, the Cuban "was already on federal probation for forgery," the note stated.
In early November 2024, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office in Florida announced the capture of García Cruz alongside another man, who were in possession of cloned credit cards, containing stolen information from credit cards of banking institutions such as Navy Federal Credit Union, Chase Bank, Capital One, and others, as well as card-cloning devices.
The statement from the authorities released by media outlets specified that the Cuban man had a nationwide extradition order from Texas for violating probation, related to previous convictions that included fraud and possession of card cloning devices.
The recent arrest of García Cruz adds to the growing number of Cuban immigrants with serious criminal records who have been arrested in recent months, as part of the hardline strategy of the Donald Trump administration against undocumented foreigners who have previously been convicted and served time, or are accused of serious crimes. The detainees are currently in custody of ICE or have already been expelled from the U.S.
Mass arrests of undocumented migrants in raids carried out by ICE and other federal and state agencies exceeded 149,000 in just seven months, it was reported in early August.
The Trump administration reached a new record of deportations, with an average of 1,435 undocumented immigrants per day in the last two weeks, the highest figure recorded in the recent history of the country.
In the case of Cubans with irregular status, numerous instances have emerged of individuals who have no criminal record or final deportation order, yet have been detained and confined in ICE detention centers pending their expulsion.
Official DHS data estimates that there are more than 42,000 Cubans with final deportation orders in the U.S., but the Havana regime's refusal to accept those with criminal records or who emigrated before January 2017 has complicated the processes.
Washington has sent several of them to third countries. In May, two citizens from the island with extensive criminal records in U.S. territory were deported to South Sudan, and in July, another Cuban immigrant to the Kingdom of Eswatini; while an undisclosed number have been exiled to Mexico.
Frequently asked questions about the detention of Cuban immigrants in the U.S.
Why was Roslandy García Cruz arrested by ICE in Texas?
Roslandy García Cruz was arrested by ICE due to his extensive criminal record, which includes over 20 convictions for forgery and fraud, as well as violations of his parole. His capture is part of an operation to apprehend illegal immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds.
What measures has ICE taken against Cuban immigrants with criminal records in the U.S.?
ICE has intensified the detentions of Cuban immigrants with criminal records as part of its strategy to expel the "worst of the worst." These measures include arrests, detentions, and deportations to third countries when the Cuban government refuses to accept its nationals.
What complications does the U.S. face in the deportation of Cubans with criminal records?
The U.S. faces the refusal of the Cuban government to accept back its citizens with criminal records, which necessitates considering deportation to third countries. This situation complicates the deportation process and requires seeking alternatives for the detained individuals.
How does the immigration policy of the Trump administration affect Cuban immigrants in the U.S.?
The Trump administration has hardened immigration policy, which includes an increase in raids and detentions of Cuban immigrants with irregular status or criminal records. This has resulted in an increase in deportations and a higher number of Cubans in detention centers.
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