Yuniel Báez Pedrera, a former prominent figure in Cuba's Communist Party, was apprehended in Miami following a visit to Cuba. Immigration authorities identified potential fraud in his residency application.
Currently, at 46 years old, Báez is held at the Krome detention center in Florida. He is scheduled to appear before an immigration judge in the coming weeks, as reported by Martí Noticias.
Official documentation suggests that Báez may have failed to disclose significant details about his past role within the Cuban regime, a possible infringement of the Cuban Adjustment Act.
For over ten years, Báez Pedrera served as the first secretary of the Union of Young Communists (UJC) in Havana, an organization closely aligned with the Cuban Communist Party.
During his tenure, Báez publicly supported the "revolutionary training" of youth and described the UJC as "the soul of the nation."
He entered the United States on September 11, 2022, through the southern border, citing political persecution by the very system he once upheld.
Not long after, he secured permanent residency and settled in Gainesville, Florida.
According to sources, in April 2024, Báez and his wife established Pa’La Familia LLC, a company specializing in package delivery, airline tickets, and immigration services.
Their social media platforms also advertised food bundles for Cuba, a thriving business given the island’s shortages.
The investigation revealed Báez's recent trips to Cuba, raising red flags with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
He was detained upon his return last week after discrepancies were found in his immigration file.
Immigration attorney Ismael Labrador told Martí Noticias that permanent residency could be revoked if it is proven that an applicant lied or concealed their political affiliations.
"Membership in the Communist Party or the UJC renders individuals inadmissible for residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act," Labrador warned.
If a judge determines that Báez engaged in immigration fraud, he could face the revocation of his residency, deportation, and a ban from re-entering the United States.
Yuniel Báez Pedrera's case adds to a growing number of former officials, judges, and propagandists from the Cuban regime who have entered the U.S. under false pretenses regarding their political histories.
Among them are individuals like Jorge Javier Rodríguez Cabrera, a known associate of Raúl Castro's grandson, and Orlando Ernesto Pérez Núñez, the former president of the Martian Youth Movement.
While the regime in Havana continues its crackdown on dissidents, many of its former members now reside in the U.S. under immigration protection, highlighting the stark contradictions and internal decay of Cuba's communist system.
Key Questions About Yuniel Báez Pedrera's Case
What led to Yuniel Báez Pedrera's arrest?
Báez was arrested due to suspected immigration fraud related to his residency application, following his recent trips to Cuba.
What are the potential consequences for Báez?
If found guilty of immigration fraud, Báez may face the revocation of his residency, deportation, and a ban on re-entry to the U.S.