A mother living in Hialeah, Florida, endured terrifying days after receiving a threatening message from her daughter's boyfriend, who vowed to take her life before facing deportation.
This alarming incident, exclusively covered by Univision, led to the arrest of the young man on Tuesday, October 14.
The Message That Sparked Fear
The distressing text was sent to Esther Calzadilla Quintero's phone on Friday, October 10, at 8:41 PM. The sender was 18-year-old Cristopher Luis Martínez Paumier, her daughter's boyfriend. His words were explicit: "Before they deport me, I'll kill her."
Calzadilla shared with Univision, "Of course, I was scared for my life and my family's." She detailed the toll it took on her daily life. "I couldn't sleep at all. I lived in constant fear for myself and my daughter. She's autistic and terrified of him; he would come to bother her all the time," she explained.
Living in Fear Isn't an Option
Calzadilla, a U.S. citizen, emphasized how this threat disrupted her ability to live normally at home. "I'm an American citizen; I can't live in fear and insecurity, worried someone might kill me just stepping onto my balcony," she stated.
The Roots of Conflict: Domestic Violence and ICE
The police report reveals that the conflict dates back to September when Calzadilla, alarmed by reports of domestic violence involving her daughter and the accused, reached out to the young man's parents. She warned them she would contact immigration authorities if the situation did not improve. However, the family's response was hostile.
Calzadilla recounted, "I spoke to the parents several times, and they were disrespectful, saying they'd sue me." During police questioning, Martínez Paumier admitted to sending the message, acknowledging it was a response to the threat of contacting ICE.
Calzadilla noted that this intimidating behavior was not new: "These threats were already happening before."
The Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Hialeah police arrested Martínez Paumier in the early hours of Tuesday, October 14. He faces charges for written threats to kill or cause bodily harm under Florida Statute § 836.10(1), a second-degree felony that could result in up to 15 years in prison.
A judge set his bail at $5,000 and issued a no-contact order with the victim. Additionally, the jail record shows an ICE detainer, complicating his legal predicament further.
The accused's parents, who also reside in Hialeah, confirmed their son's threats off-camera but declined public comments, stating they are seeking legal counsel.
Humanitarian Parole and Florida's Immigration Climate
Martínez Paumier and his family arrived in the U.S. through the humanitarian parole program and were awaiting permanent residency at the time of the incident. This program was terminated by the Trump administration in 2025, leaving many Cubans in uncertain immigration status.
Between October 2024 and January 2026, ICE arrests of Cubans surged by 463%. The fear of deportation has, in some instances, ignited conflicts that escalate into violence within immigrant communities.
In July 2026, another Cuban in the same city, which hosts one of Florida's largest Cuban and Latino populations, was accused of attempting to assault his partner.
Legal and Immigration Challenges in Hialeah
What charges does Cristopher Luis Martínez Paumier face?
He faces charges for written threats to kill or cause bodily harm, a second-degree felony under Florida law.
How did the humanitarian parole program affect Cuban immigrants?
The termination of the humanitarian parole program in 2025 left many Cuban immigrants in a precarious legal status, increasing the risk of deportation.
What impact has the fear of deportation had on the Cuban community in Florida?
The fear of deportation has led to increased tensions and, in some cases, has resulted in violence within immigrant communities.