Since the start of October 2025, more than 4,000 Cubans have found themselves facing deportation orders from Florida's immigration courts. This alarming statistic places Cuba among the top four nations with the highest number of nationals facing expulsion in the state.
A report by WUSF, utilizing data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC), reveals that Florida's immigration judges have issued around 35,300 deportation orders since the federal fiscal year began on October 1, 2025.
Breaking down the numbers, 5,027 orders were given to Guatemalans, 4,783 to Venezuelans, 4,220 to Hondurans, and 4,007 to Cubans.
It's crucial to note that while these figures represent the orders made by immigration judges, not all individuals have been deported yet. The actual enforcement of these deportations falls under the jurisdiction of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), while the legal proceedings are overseen by the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), part of the Department of Justice.
The Impact on Cuban Nationals
For Cubans, the issuance of 4,007 orders highlights the direct consequences of stricter immigration policies in Florida, a primary destination for the Cuban community in the United States.
Florida's Escalating Deportation Orders
In June alone, Florida's immigration judges issued 5,415 deportation orders, marking a 17.6% increase from the 4,605 recorded in March. This rise approaches 18% over just four months, although it remains below the national average growth rate of 30% during the same timeframe.
TRAC Immigration, a research center affiliated with Syracuse University, processed this comprehensive data, analyzing federal administrative records on immigration, detentions, and court operations.
A Nationwide Surge in Deportation Orders
Across the nation, June concluded with approximately 79,000 deportation orders, the highest monthly figure recorded during President Donald Trump's second term. Out of 99,441 resolved immigration court cases that month, 78% resulted in deportation orders. Only 1,883 immigrants were permitted to remain in the United States.
EOIR's official statistics indicate that during the first two quarters of the 2026 fiscal year, 279,770 initial deportation decisions were made nationwide, with 155,472 issued in absentia.
Miami-Dade Leads in Pending Cases
Miami-Dade remains the U.S jurisdiction with the most unresolved immigration cases, totaling 137,373 pending files. Florida also ranks fifth nationally for the number of detained immigrants, with 3,934 individuals in custody. About a quarter of these are held at the state's Baker County Detention Center, commonly referred to as the Deportation Center.
Limited Relief Amid Rising Deportations
Despite the high number of deportation orders since October, only 948 individuals obtained any form of immigration relief in Florida during the examined period. Haitian nationals experienced one of the most significant increases nationwide, with deportation orders surging by 96% between March and June.
This situation is closely linked to the Trump administration's decisions to end Temporary Protected Status, impacting work permits as detailed by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Understanding Florida's Immigration Challenges
What is the role of ICE in deportations?
ICE, or Immigration and Customs Enforcement, is responsible for enforcing deportation orders issued by immigration courts.
Why are deportation numbers increasing in Florida?
The increase in deportation numbers in Florida can be attributed to stricter immigration policies and a focus on expedited processing of cases.
How does the EOIR contribute to the immigration process?
The EOIR, or Executive Office for Immigration Review, manages the legal proceedings of immigration cases, ensuring that due process is followed in the adjudication of deportation orders.