The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has clarified the circumstances surrounding the arrest of Alina Rosales Aguirreurreta, daughter of Cuban General Ulises Rosales del Toro, who was taken into custody in Florida.
In an official statement released on their X account, ICE detailed that Rosales Aguirreurreta entered the United States in 2023 on a tourist visa, valid until May 20, 2024, but failed to secure permission to remain in the country legally.
Visa Overstay and Upcoming Immigration Hearing
ICE has categorized her as a "nonimmigrant overstay," and she is currently awaiting a hearing before an immigration judge. The agency noted that further details would be shared if they become publicly available.
Immigration records show that Rosales Aguirreurreta arrived in the U.S. on November 21, 2023, through Orlando International Airport with a B-2 tourist visa. Upon the expiration of her visa in May 2024, she did not adjust her immigration status.
Arrest and Detention Conditions
Her arrest took place on Monday, May 26, 2026, when ICE agents detained her while she was working as an assistant at a plastic surgery clinic in Miami—a role linked to her training as a plastic surgeon in Cuba.
ICE documentation lists her at the Broward Transition Center in Pompano Beach, Florida.
In May, attorney Avelino González shared insights about the case on Telemundo 51's "Encuentro Virtual" program, describing Alina's detention conditions under ICE custody as "inhumane."
González reported, "They are sleeping on the floor, receiving the same soup for both lunch and dinner, and are not being provided with medication." He also mentioned that authorities might be pressuring Alina to opt for voluntary self-deportation.
Family and Political Connections
The case is politically charged due to her father's background. Ulises Rosales del Toro, born March 8, 1942, served as Chief of the General Staff of the Revolutionary Armed Forces from 1981 to 1997 and held various ministerial positions, including Minister of Sugar and Agriculture. He was also Vice President of the Council of Ministers and a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Cuba until 2011, earning the title of Hero of the Republic of Cuba.
While the general held high-ranking positions within the regime, his family reportedly enjoyed privileges beyond the reach of ordinary Cubans, including frequent international travel, exclusive residences, and business opportunities reserved for the elite, according to a Martí Noticias investigation published in February 2026.
Another daughter, Perla Rosa Rosales Aguirreurreta, has led Habaguanex S.A., the Cuban state tourism and heritage company, since 2017.
Trump Administration's Broader Strategy
Alina Rosales's detention is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration targeting relatives of Cuban regime leaders residing in the United States.
However, her situation contrasts with that of Adys Lastres Morera, sister of GAESA's executive president—a military-business conglomerate of the regime—who was detained in Miami at the end of May under a political directive by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and subsequently moved to a processing center in Louisiana.
Unlike that instance, Alina Rosales's detention is due to a straightforward immigration issue: her tourist visa expired without her regularizing her status.
Frequently Asked Questions about Alina Rosales's Detention
Why was Alina Rosales detained by ICE?
Alina Rosales was detained by ICE for overstaying her tourist visa, as she did not adjust her immigration status after the visa expired.
What are the conditions of Alina Rosales's detention?
According to attorney Avelino González, Alina Rosales faces "inhumane" conditions, including sleeping on the floor and inadequate meals, while in ICE custody.
How is Alina Rosales's case connected to her father's political background?
Her detention has political implications due to her father, Ulises Rosales del Toro, being a prominent figure in the Cuban regime, which adds a complex layer to her immigration situation.