In a controversial move, U.S. immigration authorities reportedly deported two Cuban nationals with significant criminal records on a repatriation flight that made a stopover in South Sudan. This operation, coordinated by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), involved eight foreign nationals convicted of serious offenses, including murder, sexual assault, and kidnapping.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the deported Cubans as Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones. Arias-Hierro, apprehended on May 2, 2025, faced convictions for homicide, armed robbery, identity theft, kidnapping, and other crimes. Rodríguez-Quiñones, detained on April 30, had been convicted of attempted first-degree murder with a weapon, assault, theft, and canine trafficking.
During a press briefing, ICE's acting director, Todd Lyons, defended the deportation, stating that these individuals "pose genuine threats to national security and public safety." He elaborated that some deportees had served lengthy sentences but were released under supervision when their home countries refused repatriation. "We had to find a third country to send them to eliminate this threat. I’ve dealt with these non-compliant countries for years. However, with President Trump and under Secretary Noem's leadership, we can now prevent these predators from claiming more victims in the United States," Lyons remarked.
The flight, originating from Texas, headed towards South Sudan, though it's uncertain if this will be their final destination. Of the eight passengers, only one was originally from that African nation; the others hailed from Cuba, Burma, Vietnam, and Mexico.
A federal judge in Boston has ordered the deportees to remain in custody while the legality of the flight and any potential violations of previous court orders are assessed.
Deportations to Third Countries and U.S. Judicial Tensions
The deportation of Cuban citizens to South Sudan is part of a broader strategy by the Trump administration to relocate immigrants to third countries when their home nations do not cooperate with repatriations. El Salvador has been a key destination for such agreements. In January 2025, Trump and Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele negotiated a deal to accept immigrants of other nationalities, including dangerous criminals, as part of a "Safe Third Country" agreement.
This approach has sparked legal and political controversies. In April 2025, a federal judge initiated proceedings to hold the Trump administration in contempt for defying an order that prohibited the deportation of over 200 migrants, mostly Venezuelans, to a megaprison in El Salvador. Furthermore, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the halt on deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, which the administration used to justify expedited expulsions without due process.
These actions have heightened tensions between the U.S. judiciary and executive branches, raising concerns about human rights and adherence to due process in current immigration policies.
Understanding U.S. Deportation Policies and Legal Challenges
Why were the Cuban nationals deported to South Sudan?
The deportation to South Sudan is part of a strategy to relocate immigrants to third countries when their home nations refuse repatriation. This move aimed to eliminate threats posed by individuals with significant criminal backgrounds.
What legal controversies have arisen from the Trump administration's deportation policies?
The policies have led to legal disputes, including a federal judge's contempt proceedings against the Trump administration for ignoring court orders and the Supreme Court's block on deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, citing violations of due process.