The acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, spoke out on Wednesday regarding the horrific murder of a motel manager in Dallas, Texas. The crime, allegedly committed by a Cuban citizen with a criminal record and a deportation order, has sparked significant controversy. In an interview with Breitbart News Daily, Lyons described the incident as a "heinous act" and questioned the limited media coverage it received in mainstream outlets.
Referring to Yordanis Cobos, the Cuban immigrant accused of beheading his employer after a dispute, Lyons asserted, "These are the criminals we need to remove from our communities." He expressed a harsh stance by stating, "These are the animals we're dealing with."
Lyons also highlighted the challenge posed by Cuba's refusal to accept the return of its nationals. "This individual has a long history of violent crimes and should never have been free," he emphasized. Cobos was released from incarceration in January 2025, shortly before the start of President Donald Trump's second term. Lyons attributed this to the policies of the previous administration, which he criticized for being lenient on crime and countries refusing to take back their citizens.
Under current leadership, ICE is implementing a new strategy aimed at forcing the repatriation of foreign offenders or finding third countries willing to accept them. "We will no longer release them with an apology that their country doesn't want them," Lyons stated firmly.
According to official reports, Cobos attacked the manager of the Downtown Suites Motel with a machete in front of his wife and child, beheading him and discarding the head in a trash bin. Cobos was arrested shortly afterward, found walking bloodied near a store. He is currently held without bail, facing first-degree murder charges.
President Trump also commented on the case via his Truth Social platform, declaring that the suspect "should never have been in our country" and promising zero tolerance for criminal immigrants under his administration.
Cobos's criminal history includes charges of child sexual abuse, robbery, unlawful restraint, and parole violations across several states. Unverified reports suggest he may have been involved in two murders in Cuba before emigrating.
The case has sparked outrage in Texas, particularly among the Indo-American community, which has raised over $200,000 to support the family of the victim, Chandra Nagamallaiah. Nagamallaiah was a respected entrepreneur planning a trip to India to visit his parents.
Lyons concluded by emphasizing the daily threats faced by ICE agents. "This crime should serve as a reminder of why our immigration policies need to be firm and responsible," he stressed.
Key Questions About Immigration and Criminal Activity
Why is Cuba refusing to accept the return of its nationals?
Cuba has historically been resistant to repatriating its citizens, particularly those with criminal records, due to political and diplomatic tensions with the United States.
What measures is ICE taking to deal with foreign criminals?
ICE is enforcing a new strategy that includes pressuring home countries to accept their nationals or finding third countries that will take them, ensuring no foreign criminals are released back into U.S. communities.