The family of 34-year-old Daísel Morales Hernández, a Cuban national arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on October 30 while working as an Uber driver in Comal County, Texas, has publicly condemned the treatment he received during his arrest and demanded an investigation into the incident.
In an open letter addressed to the media and immigration authorities, Morales' family claims that the agents aimed tasers at him and forcibly handcuffed him to the ground, despite his alleged lack of resistance during the arrest.
"During his detention, the agents pointed tasers at him and handcuffed him on the ground, even though, to the best of our knowledge, he was not resisting arrest," the letter states.
Daísel Morales' case is one among many highlighting the immigration challenges faced by Cubans in the United States. Stay updated on arrests, deportations, and all matters related to U.S. immigration.
The family questions the necessity of such an aggressive operation and poses direct questions to ICE: "Was it necessary to intimidate him in such a manner? What justifies pointing a taser at a non-resisting individual? Where is the respect for human dignity?"
The letter also clarifies that they are not seeking to evade the law but are asking for basic guarantees: "We don’t ask for special treatment or to be above the law. We demand respect, humanity, and the protection of our loved one's rights."
A nearly three-minute video of the arrest went viral on social media after being shared by journalist Daniel Benítez, sparking thousands of divided reactions within the Cuban community. The footage shows a woman confronting the agents, repeatedly asking, "Why are you arresting this man? What has he done?" and questioning whether his rights were read. The agents threatened her with pepper spray, instructing her to step back.
At the time of his detention, Morales had entered the United States under humanitarian parole and was awaiting a residency application under the Cuban Adjustment Act. He remained in custody at the Comal County jail under ICE detention, with no public statement released by the agency explaining the specific reasons for his arrest.
This case is part of a broader trend affecting Cuban rideshare drivers in Texas. In October 2026, at least two similar arrests were documented, including Frank Yanuyr Arzuaga-Castellón's case, who was detained while transporting a passenger from an airport to a military base in Austin and transferred to the Montgomery ICE Processing Center in Conroe, where his defense is considering filing a habeas corpus petition.
A recurring legal issue in these scenarios is ICE's classification of some Cubans with humanitarian parole as "arriving aliens," a category that might prevent an immigration judge from granting bail, leaving them unable to secure release while their cases are processed. Additionally, the I-220A form many Cubans received upon entering the country does not equate to formal immigration parole or guarantee eligibility under the Cuban Adjustment Act.
ICE detentions of Cubans have surged by 463% since October 2024, escalating from fewer than 200 monthly arrests to over 1,000 by the end of 2025. In August 2026, the agency reported over 50,000 total detentions, with only 31% of the more than 500,000 individuals arrested by that date having prior criminal convictions.
"ICE agents: possessing a badge and a uniform does not entitle you to forget that you are dealing with human beings," the family's letter concludes, urging the media to follow the case so that "Daísel is not forgotten."
Understanding the Challenges of Cuban Immigrants in the U.S.
What prompted the arrest of Daísel Morales Hernández by ICE?
Daísel Morales Hernández was arrested by ICE while working as an Uber driver in Texas. The specific reasons for his arrest have not been disclosed by the agency.
Why is the treatment of Morales Hernández during his arrest being criticized?
His family claims that ICE agents used excessive force, including pointing tasers at him and forcibly handcuffing him, despite his lack of resistance.
What challenges do Cuban immigrants face in the U.S. immigration system?
Cuban immigrants often face legal challenges, such as being classified as "arriving aliens," which can affect their ability to secure bail and remain in the country while their cases are processed.