The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced the arrest of a Cuban national named Vicente López-Padilla, who was previously sentenced to 60 years in prison for the murder of an 8-year-old child. According to ICE's official statement, the arrest occurred on Tuesday during a broader operation targeting other illegal immigrants with serious criminal records.
López, aged 63, was convicted of manslaughter in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and received a 10-year prison sentence. Additionally, he was found guilty of murdering a child in Cook County, Illinois, which resulted in a 60-year prison sentence. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) highlighted that the operation successfully removed some of the "most dangerous" criminals residing illegally in the United States.
The operation also led to the detention of individuals with convictions for child pornography distribution, bank robbery, assault, and drug trafficking. Through these actions, ICE has reinforced its determination to identify, detain, and deport individuals whose criminal history poses a threat to public safety in the country.
Intensified Crackdown on Cuban Nationals in Florida
In Florida, ICE agents detained two Cuban nationals with extensive criminal records this week, as part of the Trump administration's intensified operations against undocumented migrants with criminal backgrounds. Among those apprehended was Gilberto Michael Marrero Henríquez, 40, who had been residing illegally since 2015 and faced multiple previous convictions, including driving under the influence (DUI), fraud, grand theft, probation violations, and traffic offenses.
The ERO team in Tampa also apprehended Noslen Hernández Guerra, 39, who was convicted of wire fraud, identity theft, money laundering, and possession of forgery tools. Although Hernández Guerra was tried in 2017, he had been under a final deportation order since 2016, residing illegally in the U.S. according to the current administration.
These detainees face uncertain futures if the Cuban regime refuses to accept their return. A Supreme Court ruling has lifted previous judicial restrictions, allowing the White House to proceed with deportations to third countries, even in cases where there are claims of potential torture or death. Since then, migrants have been sent to countries such as South Sudan, Eswatini, and Rwanda, amid reports of lack of transparency, arbitrary detentions, and inadequate legal defense access.
Understanding ICE's Deportation Policies and Their Impact
What prompted ICE to arrest Vicente López-Padilla?
López-Padilla was arrested as part of an ICE operation targeting illegal immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds, including those previously convicted of violent crimes.
What were the charges against Noslen Hernández Guerra?
Hernández Guerra faced charges of wire fraud, identity theft, money laundering, and possession of forgery tools, leading to his arrest by ICE agents.
How does the Supreme Court ruling affect deportations?
The Supreme Court's decision removed previous restrictions, enabling deportations to third countries, even when there are risks of torture or death, broadening ICE's deportation capabilities.