More than 1,150 Cuban nationals have been apprehended by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as part of their operation dubbed "Worst of the Worst." This initiative, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is aimed at targeting immigrants with criminal records.
The DHS public records indicate that when filtered by Cuban nationality, the data spans 97 pages, each listing 12 detentions, except for the last page which contains a single arrest, totaling 1,152 individuals.
Among these, 708 were captured in Florida and 176 in Texas, both states with significant Cuban-American communities and vigilant immigration enforcement activities.
The remaining cases are scattered across Georgia, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Nevada.
Most detainees are working-age men, with public records revealing a range of offenses from domestic violence, sexual assault, drug trafficking, and armed robbery, to fraud, forgery, and illegal reentry following a previous deportation.
Under the leadership of Secretary Kristi Noem, the DHS showcased this list to highlight the outcomes of President Donald Trump's immigration policies, which emphasize deporting immigrants with criminal backgrounds.
"The efforts of the men and women of ICE are fulfilling the presidential commitment to remove the worst foreign criminals from our country," read the official statement.
The release includes photos, names, and partial details of those arrested, citing public transparency. However, human rights organizations have criticized the exposure of personal data and the celebratory tone of the initiative, particularly since it was released during the holiday season.
In Florida, over 60% of the Cuban detainees were located, notably in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Collier counties, where joint units operate alongside state police.
In Texas, the arrests were concentrated in Harris, Dallas, and Cameron counties, areas associated with border crossings or illegal reentry processes.
Although the operation falls under the federal policy of deporting criminals, immigrant advocates warned that many of the detained Cubans face minor or non-violent charges, with some possibly having pending asylum cases or open appeals.
"Labeling them as the 'worst of the worst' is unfair and dehumanizing," stated an immigration attorney in Miami.
"There are individuals with old convictions or simple immigration infractions on that list," he noted.
The U.S. government has reiterated that deportations to Cuba remain suspended, yet it continues to hold Cubans with final expulsion orders in custody, pending bilateral agreements with Havana.
Key Questions on ICE's "Worst of the Worst" Operation
What is the "Worst of the Worst" operation?
The "Worst of the Worst" operation is an initiative by the U.S. ICE targeting immigrants with criminal records, highlighting those deemed as having serious offenses.
How many Cuban nationals have been detained in this operation?
A total of 1,152 Cuban nationals have been detained as part of the "Worst of the Worst" operation.
What criticisms have been raised against this operation?
Critics, including human rights organizations, have condemned the exposure of personal data and the celebratory tone, arguing that the label "worst of the worst" is dehumanizing and fails to consider minor offenses.