The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has recently detained three Cuban nationals with serious criminal backgrounds, including offenses involving minors, armed assault, and theft. These arrests occurred during operations conducted over the past few days.
Roberto Valdés Catalán, an undocumented immigrant from Cuba, was named as one of "the most dangerous criminals arrested by ICE" during National Police Week in the United States, according to an official statement released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Tuesday.
Valdés Catalán has faced convictions for the felony of soliciting minors for lewd purposes in Davidson County, Tennessee, and for domestic violence in Austin, Texas.
Additional Arrests Highlight Criminal Histories
On Monday, another individual, Jorge Luis Fuentes, was apprehended for a conviction of assault with a deadly weapon in Boston, Massachusetts.
Further, during the Mother’s Day weekend, Juan González Paz was arrested in Miami, Florida, due to convictions for grand larceny and possession of burglary tools, as reported by the DHS.
ICE's Ongoing Efforts to Apprehend Dangerous Criminals
Acting Assistant Secretary of the DHS, Lauren Bis, emphasized the significance of these arrests: "During this Police Week, we highlight some of the worst criminals ICE has apprehended. Every day, our officers put their lives at risk to capture murderers, rapists, pedophiles, gang members, and terrorists, and to remove them from American communities."
The recent arrests are part of a continuing pattern of detaining Cuban immigrants throughout 2026. On May 4th, ICE arrested Eduardo Pérez Legrá in Newport News, Virginia. Pérez Legrá had four previous drug trafficking convictions and two for cocaine possession, and was found with cocaine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and Suboxone at the time of his arrest.
On May 7th, ICE in San Diego detained two more Cubans with significant criminal records: René Wilson, with a history of failing to register as a sex offender, indecent exposure, drug trafficking, and voyeurism; and Manuel de Armas, with past charges for vehicle tampering, possession and sale of controlled substances, and making terroristic threats.
Increased Deportations Under Trump Administration
Under President Donald Trump's administration, the deportation of Cuban nationals has surged. A Cato Institute report, relying on federal government data, indicated a 463% increase in arrests from October 2024 to January 2026.
Cubans with serious criminal convictions or charges are prioritized for deportation under current ICE guidelines. The Trump administration has reported improved cooperation with Havana to facilitate repatriation flights for citizens with criminal records, which have historically been challenging to execute.
The Cuban government has consistently refused to accept these individuals, opposing their inclusion in the deportable lists presented by the State Department, as per bilateral migration agreements.
Understanding ICE's Actions Against Cuban Nationals
Why has ICE prioritized the deportation of Cuban criminals?
Under current policies, ICE prioritizes the deportation of individuals with serious criminal convictions to enhance public safety. Cuban nationals with such backgrounds fall under this category.
How has the Trump administration affected deportations to Cuba?
The Trump administration has reported increased cooperation with the Cuban government, resulting in more effective execution of repatriation flights for Cuban nationals with criminal records.
What challenges exist in deporting Cuban criminals?
Historically, the Cuban government has resisted accepting deportees with criminal records, complicating repatriation efforts as outlined in bilateral agreements.