The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New Orleans has recently announced the apprehension of four Cuban nationals with serious criminal convictions, including rape, robbery, assault, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and fraud. Humberto Vargas López, Yulio Cervino Hernández, Yendry Morales, and Jesús Acuña were taken into custody during recent immigration control operations in Louisiana, as reported by ICE on the social media platform X.
Vargas is notorious for his extensive criminal record, with convictions in Las Vegas, Nevada, for aggravated rape, aggravated robbery, assault with a deadly weapon, drug-related offenses, and obstruction of justice. Cervino's criminal history includes trafficking controlled substances, aggravated assault, three DUI charges, violating a restraining order, shoplifting, and possession of a controlled substance.
Morales received a 30-month prison sentence for human smuggling, while Acuña has been charged with conspiracy to commit marriage fraud and immigration document fraud, as disclosed by ICE earlier this week. These four Cuban detainees remain in ICE custody pending the completion of deportation procedures from the United States, according to the agency.
Intensified Immigration Control Under Trump Administration
Their arrests align with the Trump administration's immigration strategy, which has ramped up immigrant control operations and mass deportations, especially targeting individuals with criminal backgrounds and irregular status. In recent raids conducted by ICE and other agencies across various states, additional Cubans with extensive criminal records have been detained.
In Los Angeles, Elkis Lázaro Hermida was arrested for committing lewd acts with a minor. Meanwhile, in Miami, Roberto Mosquera Del Peral was apprehended, with charges including homicide, aggravated assault on a police officer with a weapon, and aggravated assault causing bodily harm or disability. Daniel Delgado Lorenzo was captured in the Florida Keys, with a criminal record that includes aggravated assault with a weapon, elder abuse, brawling, burglary, drug possession, and resisting arrest, among others. During a traffic stop in Miami-Dade, police arrested Ángel Rodríguez, accused of being part of the Latin Kings gang.
Debate Over Immigration Practices
These detentions occur amid heightened tensions surrounding immigration in the United States. While some segments of American society praise the stringent measures against immigrants, others, including human rights activists, lawmakers, and jurists, argue for fair processes that respect the civil rights of detainees, even those with severe criminal backgrounds. However, authorities are not only targeting immigrants with convictions and pending legal issues; they are also pursuing and detaining undocumented individuals attending immigration appointments to regularize their status in the U.S.
This new strategy, implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aims to apply expedited deportation procedures to those who have entered the country within the last two years. Currently, 42,084 Cubans face deportation orders in the U.S., but the Cuban regime refuses to accept them. The U.S. government has reiterated its intention to deport immigrants to third countries if their home nations, such as Cuba, do not admit them. In May, two Cubans with extensive criminal histories were deported to South Sudan.
Frequently Asked Questions About ICE Arrests and Deportations
What were the charges against the Cubans arrested in New Orleans?
The charges included serious offenses such as rape, robbery, assault, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and fraud.
How does the Trump administration's strategy affect immigrant arrests?
The strategy has intensified immigration control operations and mass deportations, especially focusing on individuals with criminal records and irregular status.
What is the current situation of Cubans with deportation orders?
There are 42,084 Cubans with deportation orders in the U.S., but the Cuban government refuses to accept them back.