A Cuban man, who arrived in the United States at just one year old, has been deported to Mexico after spending more than 40 years in the country. His situation has ignited a heated discussion across social media platforms.
The story came to light during an interview with Raúl Hernández, who shares similar migrant stories on his Instagram account, highlighting cases of detentions and deportations.
During the interview, the man explained that he once held legal permanent residency, which he lost due to an unspecified crime. Despite acknowledging that a deportation order has loomed over him since 2000, he insists that he rebuilt his life in the U.S. during that time.
"Since then, I've become just another member of society, with a job and everything," he asserted.
Although the nature of the crime—referred to by the interviewer as a "crime"—was not disclosed, nor was it clear if he served any prison time, this omission has become a focal point of debate among social media users.
Arrest Following ICE Appearance
According to the deported Cuban, on December 5, 2025, he reported to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office as part of his ongoing immigration process, at which point he was detained.
He recounted spending 66 days in a detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" before being moved to other facilities and eventually taken to Chihuahua, Mexico.
While in Chihuahua, an immigration officer inquired if they wished to be deported to Cuba. "Everyone in my group said no," he recounted.
He added that during this period, calls were made to family members reporting alleged kidnappings, although he provided no further details.
After this ordeal, the group was transferred to Tapachula in southern Mexico, where they were eventually released. The Cuban man then chose to move to the southeast of the country, settling in Cancun, where he claims to have found more stability.
"Life moves more smoothly here than there," he remarked, comparing his experience in Tapachula, a border city with Guatemala that often sees thousands of migrants awaiting processing or permits.
While he did not elaborate on his current situation in Mexico, the man implied he is attempting to start anew following his deportation.
Controversy Over the Undisclosed Crime
The publication of this case has sparked significant controversy in the comment sections. Many Cubans are questioning the lack of information about the crime that led to his loss of residency and deportation order.
"It's unbelievable that every case shared here involves a crime, and none of these individuals managed to become U.S. citizens despite their long stay... more should be discussed about the crimes committed so people can learn from these mistakes," one user wrote.
Another commented, "It must have been a serious crime because it wasn't without reason."
Meanwhile, a commentator pointed out, "When reporting, it's important to provide complete information. What was the crime committed? Why didn't he become a citizen after so many years in the U.S.? It's hard to form an opinion with such an evident lack of information."
The question echoed repeatedly: "What crime did he commit?", "What was the crime that led to the loss of his residency?", "The key words are... he committed a crime," others expressed.
Some defended the strict enforcement of immigration laws.
"In the U.S., there's no playing around. If you do something wrong, there are consequences, especially for immigrants," one user opined.
Another added, "Licenses, residency, and citizenship are privileges in this country, not rights, and they can be revoked if you do something wrong."
Political criticisms and harsher comments were also present, including those who suggested that the deportation results from part of the Cuban community supporting stricter immigration policies.
Others questioned why Mexico accepts individuals with criminal records instead of sending them directly to Cuba.
The testimony reignites the debate on the immigration consequences of criminal records in the United States, even for those who have lived almost their entire lives in the country.
In the U.S. immigration system, certain crimes can lead to the revocation of permanent residency and trigger deportation orders, even decades after their issuance, if the individual fails to regularize their status or obtain any legal relief.
On February 9, the Cuban regime received an ICE Air flight with 170 undocumented Cuban immigrants deported from the United States. This marked the first deportation flight to Cuba in 2026, which, according to U.S. government information, included individuals convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping, and drug trafficking.
Key Questions About U.S. Immigration and Deportation
What led to the Cuban man's deportation despite living in the U.S. for over 40 years?
The Cuban man's deportation was due to a crime he committed, which resulted in the loss of his legal permanent residency. A deportation order was placed on him since 2000, which was enforced when he reported to an ICE office in 2025.
Why is there controversy regarding the crime that led to his deportation?
The controversy arises from the lack of specific details about the crime committed, which has left many questioning the severity and nature of the offense. This has sparked debates on social media about the transparency and implications of such cases.