In Florida, U.S. Border Patrol (USBP) agents have detained a Cuban immigrant living illegally in the country, who previously served a two-decade prison sentence following convictions for armed sexual assault and other serious felonies. The arrest was disclosed this Wednesday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in a post on their X account. The authorities have not revealed the name of the individual, who had an outstanding deportation order since 1999 and spent twenty years behind bars. Besides armed sexual assault, his criminal record includes convictions for vehicle theft, cocaine distribution, and firearm possession, according to information released by CBP.
"The United States is no longer a safe haven for undesirables like him; he will be deported," the federal agency's message declared. U.S. Border Patrol Chief Michael W. Banks echoed the sentiment by stating, "We secure the border to prevent danger from reaching your doorstep. Criminals have no place in our communities, and we ensure they don't remain."
Recent Deportations Highlight Broader Trend
Recently, numerous arrests and deportations of Cuban immigrants in the U.S. with prior convictions or criminal charges for severe offenses have come to light. Federal immigration agents apprehended Geraldo Lunas Campos in New York, who illegally resides in the country and is a convicted felon with a violent criminal history, including sexual abuse of a child under 11 and aggravated assault with a weapon.
Another Cuban, Ariochy Morán, who was previously convicted for attempted lewd acts against a minor under 12, was arrested Tuesday in Miami. Both are under ICE custody awaiting deportation.
Deportations to Third Countries Under Trump Administration
On the previous day, the U.S. deported five migrants of various nationalities to the African kingdom of Eswatini, including a Cuban, as part of a third-country expulsion program initiated by President Donald Trump's administration. Roberto Mosquera Del Peral, whose identity was initially withheld in the official announcement by Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, was among them. He was detained last June and has convictions for first-degree murder, aggravated assault on a police officer with a weapon, grand theft auto, aggravated fleeing with reckless driving, and police evasion. Additionally, authorities confirmed he was a member of the Latin Kings gang.
Furthermore, it was revealed this Wednesday that the Trump administration deported former Cuban Interior Ministry official Daniel Morejón García, involved in the repression of the July 11, 2021, protests. Morejón García concealed his ties to the Cuban regime and his role in the repressive apparatus upon entering the U.S. He was detained on April 30 in South Florida by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, in collaboration with the FBI and CBP. On the same day, a judge ordered his removal, which was executed on May 30.
U.S. Expels Cuban Criminals to African Nations
In May, eight immigrants with criminal records, including Cubans Enrique Arias Hierro, 47, and José Manuel Rodríguez Quiñones, 54, were deported to South Sudan. Arias Hierro, detained on May 2, 2025, had been convicted of homicide, armed robbery, identity theft, kidnapping, and other crimes. Rodríguez Quiñones, arrested on April 30, faced convictions for attempted first-degree murder with a weapon, assault, theft, and canine trafficking. The flight deporting Arias Hierro and Rodríguez Quiñones marked ICE's first to an African country since the Trump administration's decision to expel convicted foreign criminals to third countries when their nations of origin refuse them, as is the case with the Cuban government.
In recent months, dozens of Cuban nationals have been arrested; many have already been deported, while others await removal. Should Cuba refuse to accept their return, the U.S. government can send them to a third country, as sanctioned by the Supreme Court, which in late June authorized President Trump to resume deportations of immigrants to countries other than their places of origin.
Understanding the Deportation Process for Cuban Immigrants
What crimes led to the Cuban immigrant's arrest in Florida?
He was arrested due to a history of serious offenses, including armed sexual assault, vehicle theft, cocaine distribution, and firearm possession.
How is the U.S. handling Cuban immigrants with criminal records?
The U.S. is actively deporting Cuban immigrants with criminal convictions, either returning them to Cuba or sending them to third countries if Cuba does not accept them.
What is the role of the Trump administration in these deportations?
The Trump administration initiated the program of deporting convicted foreign criminals to third countries, which continues to be a part of the U.S. immigration enforcement strategy.