Luis Enrique Mojena, a Cuban who defected from a medical mission in Venezuela in 2022 and braved the Darién Gap to reach Miami, found himself deported to the Central African Republic on October 22. This occurred after a court notification was delivered to his mailbox a day after the scheduled hearing.
Mojena, originally from Sandino, Pinar del Río, shared his ordeal with journalist Daniel Benítez in a video posted on Facebook. He spoke from a "safe house" in Bangui, where he and other deportees are under constant surveillance and subject to searches when entering and leaving. "We are living under abnormal conditions," he expressed at the end of his account.
"In 2022, I deserted a medical mission in Venezuela, traveled through the Darién jungle, and reached the United States in 37 days, taking 41 days to get to Miami," he explained. In the U.S., he was released on parole with an I-220A form, requiring annual supervision and wearing an electronic device.
After relocating to Houston, where he became certified as a massage therapist, his immigration hearing was set for December 1, 2026. The issue arose when his court date was moved up to June 22, yet the notification letter only arrived in his mailbox on June 23.
The following day, he voluntarily presented himself to ICE with the document in hand to clarify the situation. He was promptly arrested and spent 120 days detained in Montgomery County.
"I will never fail the system. If the system fails me, as it is currently, there's nothing I can do," he stated in the video.
While detained, a judge initially canceled an attempt to deport him to a third country. However, the Supreme Court reinstated these deportations on September 29, 2026, and Mojena's appeals were unsuccessful.
When agents handcuffed him for transport, he was not even allowed to read the legal documents they handed him.
The deportation flight departed from Alexandria, Louisiana, over three hours late due to resistance from the deportees. "The plane took off with everyone standing, no one seated, everyone pushing to move the plane," Mojena recalled.
The flight made stops in Senegal, Equatorial Guinea, Burundi, and a fourth unidentified country, before landing in the Central African Republic at dawn.
The deportees were handcuffed throughout the journey; the cuffs were removed just before disembarking to create the appearance of a voluntary arrival.
"We were victims of psychological and physical abuse, and even a fellow Cuban was slapped while handcuffed," he reported.
This was the largest single deportation of Cubans to Africa to date, involving at least 69 Cubans — 64 men and five women — out of approximately 90 migrants.
Upon arrival in Bangui, UN personnel greeted them and placed them in a safe house. The Central African Republic is classified as a Level 4 risk ("do not travel") by the State Department due to armed conflict and militia presence.
Another Cuban deportee, Arístides Fernández García, managed to leave Bangui on October 19 after nearly three months there.
Immigration attorney Wilfredo Allen cautioned that while deported Cubans without a final asylum decision might appeal to federal courts, a Fifth Circuit ruling on October 23 effectively blocks most of these appeals in that region.
Mojena's case highlights the perils Cuban migrants face within the U.S. immigration judicial system. Stay updated on the latest developments in our U.S. Immigration section to learn about deportations, hearings, and immigration rights.
Understanding Cuban Deportations and Legal Challenges
Why was Luis Enrique Mojena deported to Africa?
Luis Enrique Mojena was deported to the Central African Republic after missing a rescheduled court hearing due to a late notification.
What challenges do deported Cubans face in Africa?
Deported Cubans in Africa face abnormal living conditions, constant surveillance, and the risk of psychological and physical abuse.
What legal options remain for Cuban deportees in the U.S.?
While Cuban deportees without a final asylum decision can appeal to federal courts, a recent Fifth Circuit ruling limits these options in certain regions.