A young Cuban woman who reported being physically mistreated by U.S. Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents was deported back to Cuba on Thursday. Univisión Noticias confirmed that 25-year-old Laritza López Rodríguez, who was detained on May 2 after crossing the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas, is now in Cuban territory. Her fiancé, Gerdys López, stated that despite her ongoing recovery from surgeries due to the violent arrest she endured, Laritza was sent back to Cuba.
Previously, Laritza accused Border Patrol agents of violently pushing her, leading to a fracture in her left leg that required at least two surgeries while she was held at the Karnes Migrant Center in Texas. "I didn't hear from her until this afternoon, when she called and told me she'd been deported to Cuba," Gerdys said with sadness on Thursday night. "She couldn't complete the therapies or follow the doctor's recommendations. She arrived on the island without even her medical documents," he confirmed.
"She needs physical therapy and care that wasn't provided at that migrant center. She requires medical attention because she can't walk properly, and they've sent her to a country where there's a lack of medication and rehabilitation services, and conditions are unfavorable," Gerdys lamented. Despite her health situation, Laritza was among the 118 Cubans on the seventh deportation flight of 2025 from the U.S. to Havana, including 96 men and 22 women. Three of the returnees were taken to criminal investigation facilities due to alleged involvement in crimes before leaving Cuba.
Earlier Deportation Attempt
Gerdys López disclosed that during an initial deportation attempt, even with "a leg full of metal," Laritza was transferred for over 16 hours to a facility in Louisiana, where she was supposed to board a repatriation flight. Her attending physician advised against travel due to her condition, and she was returned to Texas. Nevertheless, ICE persisted in their decision to deport the young woman, who was under a deportation order and had been denied in her credible fear interview.
Laritza's case gained attention following her statements to the media, accusing immigration agents of dragging her across the ground while dismissing her pain. Her partner supported her account, asserting that agents "ignored her pleas" and treated her with "brutal force." In an official statement, ICE confirmed that López was in custody awaiting deportation but refrained from commenting on her medical history, citing privacy restrictions.
The deportation takes place amid the Trump administration's tightening of immigration policies. The end of humanitarian parole, the cancellation of the CBP One system, and the termination of the "catch and release" policy have left thousands of Cuban migrants in legal limbo and facing repatriation. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data indicates that over 42,000 Cubans are under final deportation orders in the U.S., and more than 185,000 individuals have been repatriated in 2025 alone.
The Cuban regime continues to receive repatriated flights, despite the ongoing freeze in diplomatic relations between the two governments. Like many others, Laritza López returns to an island that often fails to ensure rights or adequate healthcare access, amid a backdrop of social crisis and escalating repression.
Key Questions on ICE Deportation Practices
What were the conditions of Laritza López Rodríguez's detention?
Laritza López Rodríguez was held at the Karnes Migrant Center in Texas, where she reportedly suffered a violent arrest resulting in a leg fracture that required surgeries. She claimed inadequate medical care and lack of necessary therapy during her detention.
How has the Trump administration's immigration policy affected Cuban migrants?
The Trump administration's policies, including the end of humanitarian parole, CBP One cancellation, and the "catch and release" policy, have led to increased deportations and left many Cuban migrants in legal limbo, with more than 42,000 under final deportation orders.
What is the current state of U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations?
Diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba remain strained and largely frozen, yet Cuba continues to accept flights of repatriated individuals from the U.S.