Cuban Woman with Criminal Record Apprehended by ICE in New Orleans, Faces Deportation

In New Orleans, Lianet Peña Font, a Cuban national, was taken into custody by agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). She now faces deportation proceedings following her conviction for drug trafficking in the United States. ICE made the announcement via the social media platform X, labeling her a "cocaine trafficker" and highlighting her conviction for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine, which is a substantial amount.

Peña Font served a 24-month sentence in a federal prison for her crime. ICE's social media post included a mocking remark: "The Mona Lisa smile of Cuban criminal Lianet Peña Font barely conceals her conviction [...] She'd probably have a bigger smile if she had self-deported."

U.S. Law Enforcement, a specialized media outlet, confirmed her arrest, emphasizing that "drug traffickers do not receive second chances." The agency noted that Peña Font is already undergoing deportation proceedings. Court documents show her case dates back to October 27, 2023, when she was stopped by a sheriff's deputy from Cameron County in Brownsville, Texas. She was driving a red 2007 Ford Explorer SportTrac when pulled over for a traffic violation. Her nervous demeanor led the officer to deploy a narcotics dog, which alerted positively.

Upon searching the vehicle, authorities discovered a bag in the back seat containing four packages of a white substance. Tests confirmed it was cocaine weighing a total of 4 kilograms. During a subsequent interview with federal agents, Peña Font admitted to working for a drug trafficking organization, claiming she was transporting the drugs "as a favor," although she had considered doing it for money on other occasions. She was charged on November 13 and held without bail. After serving her sentence, ICE executed her arrest to begin deportation proceedings. The agency stated she is inadmissible in the United States and poses a threat to public safety.

Surge in Arrests of Cubans with Criminal Histories

Lianet Peña Font's case is part of a recent wave of arrests involving Cubans with outstanding criminal charges or prior convictions in the U.S. In July, ICE and the Border Patrol reported the apprehension of several immigrants with convictions for sexual offenses, armed robbery, child abuse, and weapons possession. Many of these individuals are now also facing deportation.

In Miami, a Cuban with convictions for indecent behavior with a minor, prostitution, and theft was arrested. He had a deportation order since 2012 but never left the country. The Border Patrol chief described his record as "alarming."

In Broward County, another Cuban was captured by Dania Beach agents. He had been convicted of lewd acts with a minor under 16 and now faces immediate deportation.

In Miami-Dade, ICE detained Juan Félix Yanes Montano, 56, with a history of armed robbery, burglary, and kidnapping with a deadly weapon. He was classified as a "serious threat to public safety."

In New York, Geraldo Lunas Campos, 55, was arrested for sexual abuse of an 11-year-old, assault with a weapon, illegal arms possession, and drug sales. He too will be deported.

While more than 42,000 Cubans have deportation orders in the United States, Havana's regime refuses to accept many of them, particularly those with criminal records or those who have been outside Cuba since before 2017. In response, Washington has begun deporting some Cubans to third countries, including African nations such as South Sudan and Eswatini, a measure sanctioned by the Supreme Court.

ICE emphasizes there will be no tolerance for immigrants with criminal backgrounds and that "all available legal authority" will be used to remove them from U.S. territory, even if it means sending them to countries other than their own.