A 33-year-old Cuban man was taken into custody on April 20 near Three Points, Arizona, over alleged involvement in smuggling undocumented individuals, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Tucson Sector Chief Sean McGuffin reported. The arrest occurred when border agents from the Tucson Station were patrolling Ajo Highway (SR86) and noticed a Hyundai Accent exiting an area known for smuggling activities, CBP mentioned on its website.
Upon inspection, agents found that the Cuban driver was illegally transporting two women—a 29-year-old Mexican citizen and a 30-year-old Uzbek citizen—both lacking authorization to be in the United States. It was also discovered that the Cuban driver himself had no legal documents for residing in the country. All three were arrested on-site, and the vehicle was seized by the authorities.
"Close, but no cigar!" McGuffin posted on X, emphasizing that the operation prevented the women from entering further into the country.
Background and Charges Against the Detained Cuban
Background checks conducted at the Tucson Station unveiled that the man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was previously arrested in 2023 near Brownsville, Texas. At that time, he claimed fear of persecution in Cuba and was released pending an immigration hearing.
Regarding the female passengers, it was noted that the Mexican citizen had been expelled from the U.S. multiple times and faced immigration violations in October 2024. Both women are set to be processed for deportation, while the driver faces federal charges for human smuggling, a crime that could lead to a lengthy prison sentence, followed by permanent deportation and a lifetime re-entry ban.
The case is still under investigation, with the Tucson Sector collaborating with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to ensure all applicable criminal charges are pursued. The Border Patrol reiterated its commitment to combating human trafficking, a persistent threat to border security and migrants' rights.
Increasing Involvement of Cubans in Human Smuggling
This incident adds to a growing list of Cuban nationals apprehended in the U.S. for similar offenses. Among them is Humberto Yosvany Arriola-Rivero, a 30-year-old Cuban, who is set to spend nearly a decade in federal prison after being convicted of conspiracy to traffic people, according to the Western District of Texas U.S. Attorney's Office. Arriola-Rivero was found guilty in early April of participating in the detention of undocumented immigrants and managing a safe house in El Paso.
Another Cuban, Rubén Sánchez Martínez, faces a 13-year prison sentence for human smuggling and child pornography possession, having also been arrested in Arizona, U.S. authorities reported. Sánchez Martínez was on parole in the U.S. in 2022 and was re-arrested in 2023 for immigrant smuggling and while possessing child pornography, as revealed by Sean McGuffin on X, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol Chief.
Rafael Rodríguez Hernández, aged 35, was detained on September 29, 2024, after U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials caught him transporting 27 people by boat from the Bahamas to U.S. soil.
FAQs on Human Smuggling and Cuban Nationals in the U.S.
What charges does the Cuban driver face?
The Cuban driver faces federal charges for human smuggling, which could result in a lengthy prison sentence, followed by permanent deportation and a lifetime ban on re-entry to the United States.
What will happen to the two women found with the Cuban driver?
The two women, a Mexican and an Uzbek citizen, will be processed for deportation as they lacked authorization to be in the United States.
Why is human smuggling a significant concern for U.S. authorities?
Human smuggling poses a severe threat to border security and the rights of migrants, often involving dangerous conditions and exploitation. It is a key focus for U.S. authorities to ensure safety and legal compliance.