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Rolando Marino Cordero Rodríguez, a 76-year-old Cuban who arrived in the United States during the Mariel boatlift in 1980, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in front of his home in Miami on October 25th.
The detention has sparked a wave of concern among his loved ones, who argue that his advanced age, fragile health, and over three decades of residency in the country have not been considered by the authorities.
A past marked by a conviction and a life of compliance
The origin of the process that culminated in his arrest dates back to 1985, when the mother of a 17-year-old girl accused him of having had a romantic relationship with her daughter.
Cordero, who at that time had been in the United States for just five years, was tried and served time in prison.
Since then, he has been officially registered as a "sexual predator," a term that, according to his family, does not reflect the reality of his case or his subsequent behavior.
"He just arrived from Cuba. Sometimes, when you come from Cuba, you don’t know the laws of this country, and that’s when you make these mistakes," explained his current partner in an interview with Univision, trying to contextualize the situation within the legal ignorance that many newly arrived migrants face.
Cordero Rodríguez was released after serving his sentence, and since then, according to his acquaintances, he has not committed any further offenses.
For over 30 years, he regularly appeared before immigration authorities without missing a single appointment.
In 1997, however, a deportation order was imposed on him that, for reasons unknown, has never been executed until now.
"He is no sexual predator": The defense of his family
The voices closest to Rolando Marino Cordero have come to his defense, questioning both the context and the manner in which he has been treated.
"He is not a sexual predator. If I knew he was a sexual predator, I would be the first to not trust him to come near me, let alone my daughters," stated his stepdaughter.
"She is an unconditional person. She doesn't deserve to be treated this way," he added.
The family emphasizes that the man, now 76 years old, is in a critical medical condition. He has undergone heart surgery and has a valve in place. Despite this, he continues to work with dedication.
“He is perfect, he doesn’t do anything wrong. He is a hard worker. With his years, he works a lot,” the stepdaughter reiterated.
The arrest in front of his house
The arrest occurred suddenly, right in front of their residence. For their family, it was an unexpected blow.
Even more so because Cordero has been settled in the United States for decades, he has worked tirelessly and maintained a stable family life.
The officers would have been surprised that he lived near a school, given his status on the criminal register, although his family maintains that throughout this time he was never considered a threat.
Since his arrest, his family has not heard from him again.
"We haven't heard from him in a week. The last we knew is that he would be deported to Mexico.", they lament with distress.
The plea from his closest circle is clear: they ask for clemency, understanding, and humanity. “At least in these last years he has left, let him live them in peace, and at home," his partner expressed.
"I ask only that you listen to us, that you please forgive him," he added
The most immediate fear is their possible deportation to Mexico, a country with which they have no connections or support networks.
According to the family, such a measure could be fatal, not only because of his age and medical conditions, but also because it would separate him from the only life he has known for over four decades.
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