Maikel Rojas, a 45-year-old Cuban residing in South Florida, has been instructed to leave the United States by August 4, 2026, just weeks after gaining his freedom from the immigration detention center nicknamed "Alligator Alcatraz."
He received official documents labeled "Removal Action Plan," issued by the Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP), demanding that he obtain a Cuban passport and purchase a one-way plane ticket. Currently, Rojas wears an electronic ankle monitor and lacks a passport, as reported by CBS News.
"I have to leave before August 4, 2026," Rojas stated in Spanish, displaying the documents to the media.
This development has left him bewildered, given that just a month prior, officials at the Miramar Immigration Center had told him to report back in May 2027.
Immigration and Legal Challenges
Rojas arrived from Cuba in 2004 and was arrested the following year as an accomplice to a crime, serving 13 years in prison. After his release, he was required to report annually to immigration authorities. However, in October 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him and transferred him to Alligator Alcatraz, where he spent nearly five months.
In March 2026, ICE released him with an ankle monitor after his wife, Roxana Torres, succeeded in securing his release through a habeas corpus petition, alongside other detainees' spouses.
Family's Distress and Legal Expertise
"It's a very bad experience because when you have a child and a life in the United States," lamented Torres tearfully. She shares a 15-month-old child with Rojas and fears ICE agents might return to detain him at any moment.
Immigration attorney Willy Allen, with over 40 years of experience in South Florida, highlighted the challenges faced by immigrants with serious criminal convictions. "Anyone who committed a crime after 1996 with a sentence of more than a year is ineligible to reside in the United States," Allen stated, noting that such cases might become more frequent.
"In truth, his chance to live here is exhausted," added the attorney.
Uncertainty with Cuban Government
Rojas also faces uncertainty as he fears the Cuban regime might not permit his return. "They told me I would be deported to Cuba, but that government might not accept me," he said.
However, the situation has shifted; in February 2026, the Cuban regime agreed to accept deportees with serious criminal records for the first time, amidst pressure from the Trump administration.
According to ICE data, by the end of March 2026, the Trump administration had returned 1,901 Cubans to Cuba since January 2025, including those with criminal records.
Moreover, ICE detentions of Cubans surged by 463% since October 2025, with approximately 42,000 Cubans facing final deportation orders in the United States.
Allen advised those in similar circumstances: "The chances of staying here long-term or short-term are limited. Seize this opportunity to find a country where you can immigrate, see where you can build your best life, and pursue it."
Closure of Alligator Alcatraz
Florida announced on Wednesday that the Alligator Alcatraz center will shut down in June 2026, with operational costs exceeding $1 billion. It currently houses about 1,400 detainees, of which between 700 and 800 are Cuban.
FAQs on Cuban Deportation and Immigration Challenges
What is the "Alligator Alcatraz" detention center?
"Alligator Alcatraz" is a nickname for a high-cost immigration detention facility in Florida, which is set to close in June 2026.
Why is Maikel Rojas required to leave the United States?
Maikel Rojas must leave the U.S. due to a "Removal Action Plan" after his release from detention, as he has a serious criminal conviction that disqualifies him from residing in the country.
What is the significance of the Cuban government's recent decision regarding deportees?
The Cuban government agreed to accept deportees with serious criminal records for the first time in February 2026, marking a significant policy change influenced by the Trump administration's pressure.