A Cuban immigrant, who identified himself as a doctor, was taken into custody by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on Monday, June 23, shortly after attending his immigration court appointment in San Antonio, Texas. This incident was part of a rapid operation that resulted in the detention of 11 individuals, who were then transported in a bus with tinted windows to the Crosspoint processing center, according to Univision San Antonio.
Wearing a white shirt, tie, and vest, the Cuban doctor was approached by journalists outside the courthouse and managed to say, "I'm Cuban, a doctor... they didn't tell me why my case was dismissed. I'm afraid to go back to Cuba." He admitted he had no legal representation at the time of his arrest.
Alongside him, a Peruvian mother and her two young daughters, as well as other migrants from Venezuela, were also detained. They had all attended their scheduled court hearings at the building located on 800 Dolorosa Street, unaware that ICE was conducting a covert and swift operation.
Swift Arrests, Fear, and Lack of Information
The operation unfolded in a matter of seconds. Masked agents escorted the detainees to a bus with darkened windows, preventing any contact with the media or family members. During the transit, the Peruvian mother attempted to send a message from the window: "Let my family know we were detained," she reportedly said, according to Univision.
For weeks, activists and families have been voicing concerns over ICE's new strategy in San Antonio, where individuals fulfilling their obligation to appear in court find themselves suddenly detained, often without clear explanation or the chance to say goodbye.
The arrest of the Cuban migrant adds to the growing anxiety within the Cuban community in the U.S. due to the tightening of immigration measures. "I don't have a lawyer" were his last words before boarding the bus, unsure if he would be taken to a family detention center or an adult prison.
Given the current climate of repression in Cuba, where doctors have reported persecution for leaving international missions or criticizing the system, his fear of being deported is not unfounded.
This incident is not isolated. In June alone, multiple Cubans have been detained after presenting themselves at courts or immigration appointments, including judoka Heriberto Rivero Carrera, who defected from an official sports delegation, and Ariel Lara, a young father with humanitarian parole and a history of political activism. Both now face deportation proceedings despite voluntarily appearing before authorities.
Moreover, on June 12, a Cuban family who had been fighting for political asylum in the U.S. for three years was detained by ICE agents immediately after their immigration court appearance in San Antonio, Texas.
These detentions, occurring amidst an atmosphere of fear, are particularly impacting Cuban migrants who are already in vulnerable situations. For many, attending immigration hearings with the hope of regularizing their status is turning into a trap.
Understanding the Cuban Migrant Detention Issue
Why are Cuban migrants being detained by ICE in San Antonio?
Cuban migrants, along with other nationalities, are being detained as part of ICE's intensified operations. These operations target individuals attending their scheduled immigration hearings, often without prior warning or clear reasons provided for the detentions.
What are the implications for the Cuban community in the U.S.?
The detentions contribute to increasing fear and anxiety within the Cuban community, as many fear deportation back to Cuba, where they may face persecution. It also highlights the challenges in navigating the U.S. immigration system, particularly for those lacking legal representation.