A Cuban national with a criminal record was apprehended in Louisville, Kentucky, as he attended an appointment to apply for permanent residency in the United States. This information was confirmed by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on Monday via their official account on X, indicating that the applicant had a pending case in immigration court and a history that includes arrests for theft and strangulation.
"A foreign criminal from Cuba was applying for a green card at our Louisville, Kentucky office when officers identified he had a pending case in immigration court, along with a criminal history including arrests for theft and strangulation," the agency posted. Alongside this announcement, USCIS shared a graphic message underscoring their stance: “Green Cards are for those who obey the law, not those who break it.”
The arrest was carried out by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which will now take custody of the man as his legal proceedings continue. USCIS did not disclose the name of the detained Cuban.
This incident occurs amid a crackdown on immigration policies under the administration of Donald Trump, prioritizing the identification and deportation of migrants with criminal backgrounds in the United States.
In June, USCIS issued a stark warning to migrants: if they have an outstanding arrest warrant and show up at one of their offices to pursue immigration benefits, they will be detained. The statement was shared on USCIS's official account on the social media platform X, where the agency reported the recent arrest of a woman at their field office in Miami.
"An arrest warrant is a serious matter, regardless of the reason. If you come to a USCIS office seeking an immigration benefit and we find that you are not complying with our laws, you will face consequences," the official message warned.
A month prior, USCIS issued another warning aimed at immigrants with open cases or questionable immigration histories, affirming: “Do not underestimate our investigative capabilities.”
In a related action, ICE arrested Cuban national Orlando Sánchez Sarría, 63, last Friday in Philadelphia. Sánchez Sarría had a previous conviction for drug trafficking and firearm possession. He was sentenced to 386 months (32 years and two months) in prison in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, for charges of conspiracy to distribute cocaine, firearm possession, and using or carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, as reported on ICE's official website.
Understanding Immigration Arrests in the U.S.
What led to the arrest of the Cuban national in Kentucky?
The Cuban national was arrested due to a pending immigration court case and a criminal history involving theft and strangulation while applying for a green card.
How does the USCIS handle applicants with criminal records?
USCIS screens applicants for criminal backgrounds, and those with serious offenses are subject to arrest and detention, especially if they have pending cases or outstanding warrants.
What was the outcome of the arrest in Philadelphia involving Orlando Sánchez Sarría?
Orlando Sánchez Sarría was arrested by ICE and had previously been sentenced to over 32 years in prison for drug trafficking and firearm offenses.