On Saturday, July 12, former Cuban baseball player Daniel Alejandro Tomás Pardo, previously part of the Industriales team in the National Series, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Mississippi, according to sources close to the case who requested anonymity.
Official records from the Madison County Detention Center indicate that Daniel Tomás, a 29-year-old native of San Miguel del Padrón, was booked into the facility at 12:09 a.m. on July 13, 2025, charged with "illegal entry - alien," with no bail set. The arrest occurred as he was leaving his workplace in Madison, Mississippi. A few days later, the former catcher and outfielder from Havana was transferred to the Jena/LaSalle Detention Center in Louisiana, where he currently remains, based on records accessed by this outlet.
Efforts to reach his half-brother, the well-known baseball player Yasmani Tomás, have so far been unsuccessful, as he has not provided any comments on the situation.
Cuban Baseball Legacy and Legal Challenges
Prior to his departure from Cuba, Daniel Tomás was part of the Industriales team. Reports suggest he made an illegal journey to the United States. His brother, Yasmani, nicknamed "El Tanque," played for Industriales in the Cuban Elite League this season and was also a key player in the 2024-2025 Mexican Pacific League with the Cañeros de Los Mochis, leading the league in home runs. Previously, he was part of Major League Baseball with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he secured a contract worth over $60 million in 2014.
Impact of Stricter Immigration Policies
With Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the implementation of more stringent immigration policies, hundreds of Cuban nationals in irregular situations, both with and without prior records, have been detained by ICE. Many have already been deported back to the island, causing significant concern among exiled communities and Cuban migrants with pending processes or undefined status.
Daniel Tomás’s case highlights the challenges faced by many Cubans who, after leaving the island, encounter complex immigration processes in their pursuit of legal residence in the United States.
Cuban Migration and ICE Detentions
What led to Daniel Tomás's arrest by ICE?
Daniel Tomás was detained by ICE for illegal entry into the United States, as reported by official records from the Madison County Detention Center.
Where is Daniel Tomás currently being held?
He is currently held at the Jena/LaSalle Detention Center in Louisiana.
How have recent U.S. immigration policies affected Cuban migrants?
Under the recent stricter immigration policies, many Cuban migrants have been detained by ICE, with several already deported back to Cuba, raising significant concerns among migrant communities.