U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents recently apprehended two Cuban nationals residing illegally in the United States, both of whom have a history of drug trafficking and other serious offenses. The individuals, identified as Miguel Cabrera and Ernesto Rodríguez Cotilla, were taken into custody during immigration operations conducted by ICE offices in San Diego and New Orleans. They are currently awaiting deportation.
Cabrera, 68, has a criminal past that includes charges related to the transportation and sale of narcotics and controlled substances, as well as assault and vandalism. ICE shared on the social media platform X that Cabrera will remain in detention pending a deportation ruling by an immigration judge. The agency emphasized, "Public safety demands that repeat offenders like this be removed from our communities."
Meanwhile, ICE New Orleans announced Rodríguez's arrest, noting his extensive criminal history involving drug trafficking, cocaine possession, theft, trespassing, fraud, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of stolen property.
The cases of Cabrera and Rodríguez contribute to the increasing number of Cuban nationals with criminal backgrounds detained by ICE across various U.S. states in recent weeks. Many of these individuals have already been deported or are awaiting expulsion from the country. If Cuba refuses to accept them, both immigrants may be deported to third countries, as Havana often declines to repatriate Cubans with criminal records in the U.S. or those who emigrated before January 2017.
Under the administration of President Donald Trump, immigrants convicted of serious crimes, including Cuban nationals, have been deported to third countries amid accusations of arbitrary detentions and lack of legal defense. Last June, the Supreme Court lifted previous judicial restrictions, allowing the White House to deport immigrants to nations other than their country of origin, even if they face risks of torture or death.
Prior to the Supreme Court's decision, two Cubans with extensive criminal records were sent to South Sudan, and another was deported to the Kingdom of Eswatini in July. An undisclosed number of Cuban citizens have also been relocated to Mexico.
This week, it was revealed that Adermis Wilson González, the Cuban involved in the 2003 hijacking of a plane from the Isle of Youth, was finally deported to Mexico after nearly three months in an ICE detention center in Texas. The Cuban government refused to accept him, as reported by CaféFuerte.
Understanding ICE's Deportation Process for Cuban Nationals
What are the charges against Miguel Cabrera?
Miguel Cabrera faces charges of transportation and sale of narcotics and controlled substances, in addition to assault and vandalism.
Why might Cuban nationals be deported to third countries?
Cuban nationals may be deported to third countries if the Cuban government refuses to accept them, which often happens with those having criminal records or who emigrated before January 2017.
How has the Supreme Court's decision impacted deportations?
The Supreme Court's decision allowed the U.S. government to deport immigrants to countries other than their origin, even if they face risks, thereby expanding the scope of deportations under current policies.