ICE Conducts Historic Deportation of Cuban Nationals Convicted of Serious Crimes

On February 9, 2026, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed a significant mass deportation flight, returning 170 Cuban nationals, including individuals convicted of serious crimes, to Cuba. This operation marks the first large-scale repatriation of its kind in decades, as the Cuban government had historically resisted accepting deportees with criminal records from the United States.

ICE deports 170 Cuban nationals, including Florida convict, on first flight of 2026BreitbartNew Tang Dynasty

Among those deported were several individuals with serious convictions. Yondeivis Wong Den-Hernandez was convicted of second-degree murder in Florida and aiding and abetting improper entry in Texas. Raul Duquenzne-Batista, identified as a member of the Los Habaneros gang, faced multiple convictions in Kansas, including aggravated assault and rape, and admitted to serving 20 years in prison in Cuba for robbery. Other notable deportees included Alexander Padron-Marten, convicted of controlled substance trafficking, and Orlando Sanchez-Sarria, who had a history of grand theft and drug trafficking offenses. Miguel Ramon Caveda-Perez, convicted of rape, and Gaully Quintana Martinez, convicted of aggravated battery, were also among those deported.

ICE deports 170 Cuban nationals, including Florida convict, on first flight of 2026BreitbartNew Tang Dynasty

For decades, the Cuban regime, particularly under the leadership of Fidel Castro, refused to accept deportees convicted of serious crimes, leading to the U.S. sending these individuals to third countries. Reports indicate that at least four Cubans were deported to Africa in 2025 due to this refusal. The recent acceptance of deportees by the Cuban government could signify a shift in immigration cooperation between the two nations.

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ICE emphasized the importance of these deportations for public safety, stating, “Immigration detainers make everyone safer!” The agency's announcement highlighted the ongoing efforts under the Trump administration to increase deportations, particularly of individuals with criminal records. In contrast, Cuban state media, such as Cubadebate, reported on the deportation flight without mentioning the criminal backgrounds of the deportees, focusing instead on the demographics of the deportees.

Breitbart

Critics of the deportation flights argue that the Cuban government's acceptance of these individuals may not reflect a genuine commitment to cooperation but rather a response to diplomatic pressures. Concerns have been raised about the implications for both the deportees and the safety of Cuban society upon their return.

Breitbart

While ICE reported the deportation of 170 individuals, Cuban media only acknowledged the arrival of the flight without detailing the criminal histories of the deportees. Additionally, there are approximately 42,000 Cubans with final deportation orders still awaiting repatriation, indicating ongoing complexities in U.S.-Cuba immigration relations.

BreitbartICE deports 170 Cuban nationals, including Florida convict, on first flight of 2026New Tang Dynasty

The recent deportations may lead to further discussions and negotiations regarding immigration policies between the United States and Cuba, as both countries navigate their complex historical relationship concerning migration and repatriation.

ICE deports 170 Cuban nationals, including Florida convict, on first flight of 2026