The destiny of Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera, a former Cuban official and close confidant of Raúl Guillermo "El Cangrejo" Rodríguez Castro, the grandson and chief bodyguard of Raúl Castro, will be decided by an immigration court on October 2, 2025, in Las Vegas. Rodríguez Cabrera is currently held at the Southern Nevada Detention Center under the custody of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as his legal proceedings unfold. This hearing will be crucial in determining whether he can remain in the United States or faces deportation back to Cuba, as reported by Martí Noticias.
According to court records reviewed by the media outlet, the case is still ongoing and has yet to be forwarded to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA). This indicates that the upcoming court session will have the final say regarding his legal status in the country.
Rodríguez Cabrera entered the U.S. via the southern border in 2022 with his wife and two children, seeking political asylum. Initially, he took on low-paying jobs, but by 2024 he established Gran Azul LLC in Las Vegas, a company offering logistics services, door-to-door shipping to the island, car sales, food, and even tour packages. The business quickly expanded across various U.S. cities, raising suspicions within the Cuban exile community, who feared it might inadvertently aid the very regime he claimed to have left behind.
While the mother of his children and the kids secured permanent residency in the U.S., Rodríguez Cabrera never achieved the same legal status. He managed his business until his arrest by ICE in July 2025.
This case has drawn significant attention because Rodríguez Cabrera is not just any migrant. In Cuba, he worked in the diplomatic mail service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MINREX), and his close ties with "El Cangrejo" connected him to the inner circle of the Castro elite. His situation echoes that of other former regime officials seeking refuge in the U.S. despite previously holding privileged positions within the system, such as former judge Melody González Pedraza or ex-officer Jorge Luis "Veguita" Vega García. These instances have sparked a heated debate within the exile community regarding the presence of former regime affiliates in the country, particularly those with links to human rights violations.
Key Questions About Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera's Immigration Case
What is at stake for Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera in the upcoming court hearing?
The court hearing will determine whether Rodríguez Cabrera can remain in the United States or if he will be deported to Cuba.
Why is Rodríguez Cabrera's case drawing attention?
Rodríguez Cabrera's case is notable due to his past ties to the Cuban regime's elite and the potential implications of his business activities in the U.S. that might indirectly benefit the Cuban government.
What has been the response of the Cuban exile community?
The Cuban exile community has expressed concern and debate over the presence of former regime affiliates in the U.S., especially those involved in human rights violations.