Former Florida International University (FIU) president Modesto Maidique has sharply criticized the Trump administration's deportation policies targeting Cubans, warning that such actions could cost votes in the upcoming November elections if the Cuban issue isn't resolved beforehand.
Maidique emphasized that Cubans are not simply seeking employment opportunities. "We are refugees from a failed ideological system, a disastrous system," he stated in an interview with CiberCuba on Wednesday.
The Cuban-American scholar highlighted the inconsistency he perceives in Trump's immigration policies: "Why would you start expelling Cubans from the United States?" he questioned.
He argued that the Cuban community fled not only from material deprivation but from an ideological project that devastated their homeland. "In gratitude to the United States, we've helped build one of the great cities," Maidique remarked, referring to Miami.
The Potential Electoral Impact
Maidique was clear about the potential electoral repercussions for Trump: "I believe these immigration policies could backfire in November. He lacks a consistent and clear strategy and often mixes in some of his conservative values," Maidique observed.
A "Macabre Experiment" on Socialism
To illustrate the failure of Cuban socialism, Maidique suggested a comparative analysis, which he called a "macabre experiment": taking an island—since "what you have at the border are fish"—to observe what happens when socialism is applied over several decades.
"If you were to conduct an experiment to prove the disaster of socialism, you would do it in a place like Cuba. A diverse population, reasonable size, an island," he pointed out.
Contrasting Success Stories
Maidique contrasted Cuba with Singapore, another island that in the mid-20th century was seen as a poor port. "Cubans looked at them as poor Chinese when we were wealthy. Today, what a difference!" he exclaimed.
He attributed Singapore's success to "good governance, a leader committed to his people's future rather than personal wealth or power, and engagement with the global market, not just the local one." He also cited Taiwan as another island example that clearly contrasts political systems by eliminating shared land borders.
Cuba is facing its worst crisis since the Special Period of the 1990s: the population has decreased from about 11 million to around eight million due to mass exodus, the electrical system has repeatedly collapsed in recent months, and Venezuela stopped sending oil following Nicolás Maduro's capture in January 2026.
On January 29, 2026, Trump himself signed an executive order imposing an energy blockade, labeling Cuba a "failed state," the same term Maidique uses to argue that Cubans deserve refugee status, not deportation.
Understanding the Cuban Deportation Issue
Why is Maidique criticizing the deportation of Cubans?
Maidique criticizes the deportation because he believes Cubans are refugees fleeing a failed ideological system, not merely economic migrants.
What comparison does Maidique draw between Cuba and Singapore?
Maidique compares Cuba and Singapore to highlight how good governance and commitment to global markets can lead to prosperity, unlike the failure seen in socialist Cuba.
How does Maidique view Trump's immigration policies?
Maidique sees Trump's immigration policies as inconsistent and believes they could negatively impact his electoral prospects.