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The immigration raids in South Florida have not only instigated uncertainty on the streets but have also sparked an intense debate among Cubans and Cuban Americans who follow the news from CiberCuba.
The publication of the report “Fear Spreads Through South Florida: No One Sleeps Soundly” sparked hundreds of comments on the media's Facebook page, reflecting two major currents of opinion: those who support ICE operations and the policies of Donald Trump, and those who condemn them for their harshness and their impact on working families.
A block in favor of order and legality
Approximately 60% of the analyzed comments express support for the operations, with arguments focused on respect for the law, individual responsibility, and national sovereignty.
"He who has done nothing wrong fears nothing" was the most frequently repeated phrase —with over 40 direct mentions or equivalents— turned into a kind of slogan among proponents of immigration control.
One of the most representative comments stated: “Each country has the right to enforce its laws. If you enter illegally, you know what you are exposing yourself to.”
Other users appealed to a moral and civic tone: “I sleep peacefully because I came here legally and work. Those who are here illegally know why they are afraid.”
This group has come out to justify the ICE operations as a necessity for order after years of "soft" immigration policies. Several mentioned that Trump "is putting the house in order" and that "the chaos at the border with Biden brought criminals, terrorists, and communists".
The pro-Trump discourse, prevalent among users of Cuban origin, associates strict immigration policy with security, authority, and discipline—values that many claim have been lost under Democratic administrations.
Some even compared irregular immigrants to those who "abused the system," asking for subsidies or lying on asylum applications. "There are many people here who came saying they were escaping communism, and in the end, they still defend dictatorships. Those are the first ones that should be deported,” pointed out a user.
The tone of these comments blended American nationalist pride with a moralistic view of the immigrant: “The United States opened the door for us, but it is not anyone's home. You have to earn the right to stay.”
Fear, indignation, and empathy with the detainees
On the other hand, about 35% of the comments expressed indignation or concern about the severity of the raids, particularly regarding their impact on working families, asylum seekers, or individuals undergoing legal processes.
A comment that received dozens of reactions summarized this sentiment: "There are decent people waiting for their papers, who work, who have no criminal record, and they are being arrested without compassion as if they were animals."
Others emphasized the emotional and religious component: "God protect the emigrants and make those without compassion reflect"; "I ask God to cover with His wings those who only seek a better life".
This bloc preferred to appeal to humanitarian and family arguments, recalling that many migrants arrived fleeing dictatorships—including the Cuban one—and that current policies “punish those who came to work.”
“Those who applaud today forget how they arrived. We were all immigrants at one point.”
Among the most critical comments, a tone of sadness and disappointment regarding the political direction of the country was noted. "In the land of opportunity, freedom is fading away", wrote a reader. Another described the situation as "a psychological war" and "an international disgrace."
There were also those who denounced racism and xenophobia, pointing out that "the hatred towards Latinos and immigrants is evident in the faces of those who celebrate these raids".
Those in the middle: Resignation and sarcasm
A smaller group—around 5% of the comments—held an ambiguous or humorous position.
Some mocked the tone of the news ("CiberCDR trying to instill fear", "I sleep like a baby with air conditioning and Netflix") or downplayed the extent of the operations: "I've seen raids, but they only take those with criminal records. The rest sleep peacefully".
Others expressed skepticism towards the media: "Stop amplifying fear. In the end, this is yellow journalism."
In several instances, the comparison with Cuba was used as a rhetorical device, either to downplay the seriousness of the issue (“In Cuba, they don't sleep peacefully even during blackouts”) or to criticize those who justify the raids (“You who applaud this are the same ones who escaped from fear on the island”).
Political polarization and Cuban fracture
The analysis of the discourse revealed a deep political divide among Cubans in exile. Discussions about ICE easily escalated into personal confrontations and allusions to the politics of the Island.
The comments mixed references to Fidel Castro, Díaz-Canel, Obama, Biden, Marco Rubio, and Trump, in a conversation where nostalgia for exile, resentment, and political identity intersected.
While some praised Trump as “the only one who commands respect,” others labeled him a “dictator” and “executioner.” One comment encapsulated that divide with biting irony: “They wanted Trump, here’s Trump. Take the blonde all the way”.
At the same time, many users acknowledged that the divisions among Cubans weaken the migrant cause. "We Cubans have never been united," wrote a reader. "Sometimes Americans defend immigrants more than we do ourselves."
Emotional and polarized language
The overall tone of the conversation was highly emotional, confrontational, and polarized.
Supportive comments for the raids often used imperative and moralizing verbs (“deport them,” “obey the law,” “self-deport”), while critics appealed to empathy, faith, or historical memory (“remember how we all arrived,” “God protect them,” “there is no compassion”).
Terms with a strong ideological charge also emerged: “fascism,” “dictator,” “terrorist,” “communist,” “yellow journalist,” “traitor.” The debate became a reflection of the political climate of the Cuban exile community, where every issue— including immigration— is viewed through the lens of the confrontation between the right and the left.
Conclusion
The reactions to the note from CiberCuba showed that ICE raids not only divide migrant families but also the Cuban community in Florida.
For some, they represent the return of order under a strong government; for others, a betrayal of the American dream that promised refuge to those fleeing repression.
Between both extremes, a phrase resonated as a summary of the debate: “He who owes nothing fears nothing… but he who suffers does not forget.”
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