The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has apprehended two additional Cuban nationals with serious criminal records. These arrests are part of recent operations targeting illegal immigrants deemed the "worst of the worst" foreign offenders, according to official statements.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported the capture of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. who have been convicted or are accused of "heinous crimes," including offenses such as sexual assault of children under 13, aggravated assault on minors, rape, homicide, and drug trafficking.
One of the Cubans, identified as Sergio Jesús Villegas Dorta, was detained by ICE agents over the past weekend, as announced in a DHS press release. Villegas has a record of convictions for intentional homicide with a weapon, robbery, and aggravated assault with a weapon in Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Meanwhile, Alberto Delgado Céspedes, also from Cuba, was arrested this Monday. He has a previous conviction for the manufacturing and delivery of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) in Lubbock County, Texas.
Federal Crackdown on Foreign Offenders
Details on the arrests of these two Cubans were sparse, but they are part of a broader federal initiative to remove foreign criminals from U.S. streets, individuals considered a "threat to public safety" by authorities.
Tricia McLaughlin, Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security, emphasized that "70% of all ICE arrests involve undocumented foreign nationals convicted or charged with a crime in the United States." She also criticized critics of the Trump administration's immigration policies, who claim that arrests and deportations are solely based on individuals' illegal status in the country.
Challenges in Deporting Cuban Nationals
In recent weeks, numerous arrests of Cuban citizens with severe criminal records have been made as part of the federal government's strategy to identify and expel foreigners with particularly dangerous criminal histories. However, deporting Cuban nationals remains a complex and lengthy process due to the Cuban government's reluctance to accept citizens who have committed crimes in the U.S. and have been incarcerated there, especially those who left the island before the 2017 migration agreements.
Cubans in these situations, who have final deportation orders, have been sent to third countries despite the associated risks. The most recent deportation flight from the U.S. to Cuba took place on November 20, returning 139 irregular migrants to the island.
This latest ICE operation marks the eleventh of the year, bringing the total number of Cubans deported from the U.S. in 2025 to 1,370. This figure surpasses those of the previous administration and illustrates the tougher stance of current U.S. immigration policy.
Understanding ICE Arrests of Cuban Nationals
Why is it challenging to deport Cuban nationals from the U.S.?
Deporting Cuban nationals is complex because the Cuban government is often unwilling to accept citizens who have committed crimes and served prison sentences in the U.S., particularly those who left Cuba before the 2017 migration agreements.
What types of crimes are leading to the arrest of Cuban nationals by ICE?
Cuban nationals have been arrested for serious crimes such as intentional homicide, robbery, aggravated assault, and drug trafficking. These arrests are part of a broader effort to remove individuals considered a threat to public safety.