On Monday, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla reignited controversy by accusing the United States of instilling fear among Cubans residing there and threatening to freeze or close their bank accounts.
However, his remarks sparked a wave of criticism from Cubans both on and off the island, who criticized the Cuban government for ignoring the true causes of the exodus and its own repressive practices.
"Cubans living in the U.S. are subjected to the persecution and fear driven by the current immigration policy of that government... they now face the threat of having their bank accounts frozen or closed," Rodríguez posted on X.
The backlash was swift. A user responded, "Why don't you worry about what Cubans on the island are suffering?" Another individual from Cuba added, "Their fear is being deported to share the nightmare you impose on us."
Many pointed out that dissenters in Cuba also face persecution, surveillance, and punishment. "Brunito, don't they chase protesters in Cuba too? You only have eyes for the USA," wrote another user.
Rodríguez's statements come at a particularly sensitive time for Cuban migrants. Under a "national security" review policy, the Trump administration halted asylum, permanent residency, and naturalization processes for citizens from 19 countries, including Cuba.
This policy led to canceled interviews, citizenship ceremonies, and a massive immigration backlog, leaving thousands of Cubans in legal limbo.
Compounding the issue, several migrants have started receiving alerts from Bank of America warning that their accounts could be frozen if their immigration status isn't updated. Some have already temporarily lost access to their funds.
"The bank directly froze my account... I couldn't withdraw a dollar," a Cuban told Univision. The IRS also reminded that ignoring debt notices could result in immediate account and wage garnishments.
Meanwhile, a new report from the University of California, Berkeley's Deportation Data Project revealed that over 75,000 migrants arrested by ICE this year had no criminal record, contradicting official claims that raids target only dangerous criminals.
In this context, many Cubans interpret Bruno Rodríguez's words as a political maneuver to exploit the diaspora's fears while sidestepping responsibility for the migration crisis. "The first thing is to analyze who forced them to emigrate," a user commented.
Common Concerns Among Cuban Migrants
Why is Bruno Rodríguez criticizing the U.S. regarding Cuban migrants?
Bruno Rodríguez accuses the U.S. of creating fear among Cuban migrants by threatening to freeze or close their bank accounts, amidst the existing challenges in U.S. immigration policies.
How are Cuban migrants affected by U.S. immigration policies?
Cuban migrants face halted asylum processes, a backlog in immigration cases, and threats to their bank accounts due to policy changes and security reviews implemented by U.S. authorities.
What actions have U.S. banks taken that concern Cuban migrants?
Some U.S. banks, like Bank of America, have issued alerts to Cuban migrants about potential account freezes if they fail to update their immigration status, causing significant concern within the community.