Cuban Mariel Refugee Detained,โ faces โDeportation Amidst Heightened ICE Enforcement
ALLIGATOR, FL – โฃNovember 11, 2025 – A Cuban man who โarrived in theโ united Statesโ during โthe 1980 Mariel Boatlift is currently detained in Florida, facing deportation dueโฃ to an extensive criminal history, according โto recent reports. The case highlights a โsurge โin deportations of Cuban nationals with criminalโข records โunder the administration of Donaldโ Trump.
The individual, recently detained by โฃImmigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), has prior charges including drug possession and aggravated assault with injury. His detention isโข part of a โbroader effortโ to “capture and expel immigrants from the country” undocumented, notably those with criminal backgrounds, a policy affirmedโฃ byโ a Supreme Court ruling.
The Mariel exodus, beginning in April โ1980, saw over 125,000 Cubans travel to the U.S., seeking refuge from poverty and repression under Fidel Castro. However,โฃ the influx included not only those fleeing hardship but also individuals released from โคCuban โprisons โandโค psychiatric institutions by the Castroโ government, described as “undesirable” elements.
Currently, over 42,000 Cubans haveโ final deportationโฃ orders, according to theโค Department of โฃHomeland Security (DHS). However, theโข Cuban government’s refusal to accept individuals with U.S. criminalโข records, or those who left the country before January 2017 immigration agreements, has led to the deportation of some Cubans to third nations – including South Sudan, the Kingdom of Eswatini, Rwanda, andโ Mexico – sparking criticism โfrom humanโ rights organizations andโ legal experts concerned about potential risks of โคtorture or death.
Atโฃ least four Cubansโ with final deportation orders have already been sent to African countries.
Despite these complications, deportation flights to Cuba continue monthly, adhering toโ existing immigration agreements. โAs of November 6, 2025,โฃ a total of 1,231 Cuban migrants have been deported to Cuba by air since January โฃ23, 2025,โ including 232 individuals returned to theโ island on November 6th in theโค tenth air โoperation since Trump took office.