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The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reported that this weekend it conducted a nationwide operation targeting immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds, amid a climate of protests and increasing polarization regarding immigration policies in the United States. Among those detained is a Cuban citizen, which once again places the island's community at the center of the debate on security, migration, and criminalization.
According to information released by the Department of Homeland Security and cited by the conservative outlet The Daily Wire, ICE agents arrested dozens of undocumented immigrants previously convicted of violent crimes in various cities across the country between January 16 and January 18. The actions took place while protests against the government agency continued, especially in Minnesota.
The Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Tricia McLaughlin, defended the operation by stating that agents "never stop fulfilling their mission to make the United States safe again," and noted that over the weekend individuals convicted of crimes such as murder, sexual abuse, and gang-related offenses were arrested.
Among those arrested mentioned by the authorities is Ronal Garbey-Jorin, a 27-year-old Cuban immigrant detained in Houston, Texas, who has a previous conviction for assaulting a family member.
Although ICE did not provide additional details about their current immigration status or a possible deportation process, their inclusion on the official list once again brings scrutiny to the Cubans detained by the agency in the current context of tightening immigration policy.
The raids spread to several major cities across the country, and according to the DHS, they occurred in the context of a significant increase in assaults against ICE agents. McLaughlin stated that officers continue to “risk their lives seven days a week,” even when facing strong public opposition.
Protests against ICE not only continued over the weekend but also escalated in some areas. Federal authorities are investigating an incident that occurred during a religious service when protesters interrupted the ceremony, which could lead to federal charges.
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