A Cuban national named Karel Pineda has been apprehended by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and prominently displayed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of their "Worst of the Worst" campaign.
On Thursday, the DHS released an official statement titled "Worst of the Worst: ICE Arrests Murderers, Pedophiles, and Kidnappers," in which Pineda is singled out as the sole Cuban among five individuals of various nationalities detained.
The report specifies that Pineda was convicted of first-degree sexual offense with a minor and second-degree arson in Cumberland County, North Carolina.
Other Detainees in the Spotlight
Alongside Pineda, the statement highlights four other individuals: Ung Bang from Vietnam, convicted of first-degree murder in Alhambra, California; Henry Duarte-Morataya from Guatemala, convicted of two counts of sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor in Stamford, Connecticut; Masroor Ahmed Butt from India, found guilty of intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct and possession of child abuse materials in Washington D.C.; and Sean Lopes from Guyana, convicted of kidnapping and possession of a weapon in New York.
Impact on Cuban Immigrants
Pineda's arrest is part of a broader series of immigration operations targeting Cuban nationals in the United States. For ongoing updates, visit our U.S. Immigration section.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin endorsed the statement, justifying the operations with a clear message: "Every day, ICE patriots work tirelessly to identify the worst illegal criminals in our country. Just yesterday, ICE arrested murderers, pedophiles, kidnappers, and other violent criminals to make America safer."
Mullin further emphasized that there will be no safe haven for undocumented immigrants with criminal records: "Under President Trump's leadership, there will be no sanctuary for illegal aliens, including sanctuary cities that prioritize illegals over their own citizens. We will never apologize for arresting and deporting illegal aliens, because that is how we protect the lives of Americans."
Recurring Incidents Involving Cuban Nationals
Pineda's case is not an isolated incident. Cubans have frequently appeared in DHS announcements throughout 2025 and 2026, with offenses ranging from sexual assaults on minors to murder and drug trafficking.
By the end of December 2025, over 1,152 Cubans were listed in the DHS public registry under this category.
This Friday also brought news of another Cuban, Manuel Victores-Alzola, residing in Miami, who was detained by ICE on Wednesday. He has three convictions for sexual offenses against a minor within his own family.
The "Worst of the Worst" campaign is a systematic initiative by the Trump administration, issuing nearly daily releases to spotlight the arrests of undocumented immigrants with severe criminal backgrounds.
The DHS also maintains a public website where citizens can view profiles of the detained; as of late July, the database was expanded by 5,000 additional names, surpassing 35,000 entries in total.
FAQs on ICE's 'Worst of the Worst' Campaign
What is the "Worst of the Worst" campaign?
The "Worst of the Worst" campaign is an initiative by the Trump administration to highlight the arrests of undocumented immigrants with severe criminal records, including murderers, pedophiles, and kidnappers.
How many Cubans have been listed in the DHS public registry?
By the end of December 2025, more than 1,152 Cubans were recorded in the DHS public registry under the "Worst of the Worst" category.
Who approves the statements from the DHS regarding these arrests?
Statements regarding these arrests are endorsed by Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin.