Elderly Cuban with Criminal Past and Deportation Order Apprehended in Miami

Special agents from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) apprehended 73-year-old Cuban national, Pedro Pérez Barrera, in Miami this Tuesday. Pérez, who has a history of serious sexual offenses, is currently under a final deportation order. According to a statement by HSI Miami shared on the social media platform X, the detainee is labeled as a "criminal alien" having been convicted of sexual assault and lewd acts involving a victim under the age of 12.

Authorities have classified Pérez as an aggravated felon, a category that includes highly serious crimes under U.S. immigration law. The final deportation order against him indicates that his immigration process concluded with a firm decision for removal. This arrest comes amid a tightening of immigration policies and prioritization of deportations for foreigners with criminal records in the United States.

HSI's statement did not specify whether the arrest was part of a targeted operation or a routine immigration check but emphasized the danger posed by the individual and the federal priority to enforce removal orders against criminal aliens. It remains unclear whether Pérez will be deported immediately or if he will remain in custody at an immigration detention center.

Back in 2020, Pérez was living in Hialeah when he was accused of sexually abusing a young girl over a five-year span, starting when the child was just five years old. According to a report cited by América Tevé, the perpetrator took advantage of his wife's inattention to assault the girl, who was under their care. The child disclosed the abuse to her mother following a discussion about sexual education, recounting at least 15 episodes of assault.

In court, Pérez claimed he only "tickled" the child and invoked the Fifth Amendment to remain silent. Given the severity of the charges, bail was denied, and he stayed in Miami-Dade jail awaiting trial.