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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Maykel Rodríguez in Denver, a 38-year-old Cuban citizen with a criminal history in the United States.
According to the ICE office in Denver, as reported through its official account on the social network X, Rodríguez has a criminal record "for assaulting a peace officer."
Authorities indicated that the detainee will be kept in custody while their immigration processes are underway.
ICE did not provide additional details about the date of entry into the country or any potential pending federal charges.
The arrest is part of the tough stance against immigrants with criminal records advocated by the Donald Trump administration.
In recent months, several Cubans have been arrested under similar circumstances.
In New Orleans, ICE recently reported the capture of Yordan Rodríguez, also a Cuban citizen, with a history of drug possession and trafficking, as well as convictions for assault and resisting authority. The detainee will undergo a deportation process.
According to official data, in just seven months, over 149,000 detentions of undocumented immigrants have occurred nationwide, carried out by ICE and other federal and state agencies.
The pace of deportations has also reached a historical record, with an average of 1,435 expulsions per day in recent weeks.
An unspecified number of Cubans with criminal records have been arrested and deported during this period, although there have also been documented cases of immigrants from the island without a criminal history or final deportation order who have been detained in ICE facilities and are facing expulsion proceedings.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), by the end of 2024, there were more than 42,000 Cubans with final deportation orders in the United States.
However, the Cuban government has refused to accept individuals with criminal backgrounds or those who emigrated before the end of the "wet feet/dry feet" policy in January 2017.
Due to Havana's refusal, Washington has deported Cubans to third countries. Three immigrants with extensive criminal records were sent to South Sudan and Eswatini, while others have been relocated to Mexico on deportation flights.
However, as part of the existing bilateral agreements, since January of this year, more than 580 Cubans have been directly returned to the island.
Frequently Asked Questions about Arrests and Deportations of Cubans by ICE
Why was Maykel Rodríguez arrested in Denver?
Maykel Rodríguez was arrested by ICE due to his criminal record, which includes arrests for assaulting a peace officer. This detention is part of the tough policy against immigrants with criminal backgrounds.
What is the United States' policy regarding the deportation of Cubans with criminal records?
The Donald Trump administration has implemented a tough policy to stop and deport undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds. Cubans with criminal records are arrested and held in ICE custody until their deportation. However, the Cuban government has shown reluctance to accept these deportees, which has led the United States to deport them to third countries.
How has Trump's immigration policy affected the Cuban community in the United States?
Trump's immigration policy, which includes the elimination of humanitarian parole and the end of the "catch and release" policy, has generated fear and frustration within the Cuban community. Many Cubans with irregular status face detentions and deportation proceedings, even those with no criminal record. This situation has left thousands in a migratory limbo in the United States.
What happens to deported Cubans who are not accepted by Cuba?
When the Cuban regime refuses to accept deportees with criminal records, the United States has started deporting them to third countries. Recent examples include sending Cubans with extensive criminal histories to countries like South Sudan and Eswatini.
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