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The President of the United States, Donald Trump, shared on his social media the photos of eight immigrants with criminal records arrested by ICE, among whom are two Cubans.
"Hard guys. Let the courts allow me to do the job," Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social, in a message featuring images of Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones, recently deported to South Sudan.
Arias-Hierro, 47 years old, and Rodríguez-Quiñones, 54, were taken by U.S. immigration authorities to South Sudan, a measure that has raised legal and ethical alarms, but was celebrated by Trump as a victory against criminal immigration.
Both men, with extensive criminal records in Florida, are part of a group of more than 42,000 Cubans with a final order of deportation that the regime in Havana refuses to accept back, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
In response to the Cuban government's refusal, Washington has begun sending deportees to third countries, in this case, to one of the most dangerous destinations on the planet: South Sudan.
Rodríguez-Quiñones, with a history of drug trafficking, murder, and violent assault, and Arias-Hierro, convicted of homicide, kidnapping, and violent robbery, were part of a flight that also transported citizens from Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, and Mexico.
The federal judge Brian E. Murphy from Massachusetts attempted to halt the expulsion arguing that they were not given a meaningful opportunity to legally contest the transfer. However, the DHS ignored the ruling and carried out the deportation.
"Brutal Monsters" and Electoral Politics
The Department of Homeland Security defended its action by stating that these were dangerous criminals. Its spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, went further: "It is absurd that an activist judge is trying to force the United States to bring back these uniquely brutal monsters."
The message was amplified by Trump, who attacked the judicial system: "They are harming our country."
The DHS even shared Trump's tweet, emphasizing that "the American public must be aware of the atrocious crimes committed by illegal aliens that an activist judge is trying to return to U.S. soil."
The openly political tone has sparked a debate about the use of migration as an electoral and propaganda tool.
Legal hypocrisy: South Sudan as a "safe country"
The choice of South Sudan as a destination has sparked harsh criticism.
The Department of State publicly recognizes that country as a place plagued by torture, extrajudicial killings, and sexual violence, and has extended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) to its own citizens to prevent deportations to that territory.
Despite this, the White House decided to send Cuban citizens with no ties to that country, invoking the "Safe Third Country" provision, a policy strengthened by Trump to offload unwanted migrants when their countries of origin refuse to accept them.
Cuba, the great absentee
The case has reignited tensions with the Cuban regime.
According to lawyer Avelino González, Havana does not accept the repatriation of citizens who left the island before 2017, leaving thousands of Cubans in a migratory limbo.
Meanwhile, ICE has sought deportations on a case-by-case basis, exploring "alternative" destinations such as El Salvador, and now, South Sudan.
The lawyer Willy Allen warned that these cases set a disturbing precedent: "My recommendation is that these individuals seek to establish themselves in a third country. Otherwise, their lives could turn into a nightmare."
Human rights in question
Human rights organizations and legal experts have criticized what they see as a violation of due process and the political use of deportation.
The Foreign Enemies Act, invoked by the DHS, has been the subject of legal challenges, while the Supreme Court has partially blocked its enforcement. Nevertheless, the government continues to apply it to justify expedited expulsions.
The situation involving Arias-Hierro and Rodríguez-Quiñones may elicit little sympathy due to their criminal history, but the underlying issue goes beyond these two individuals.
The decision to send them to a country without minimal security guarantees, while invoking the law and ignoring judicial rulings, sets a dangerous precedent for thousands of immigrants in the United States.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Deportation of Cubans to South Sudan
Why were Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones deported to South Sudan?
Arias-Hierro and Rodríguez-Quiñones were deported to South Sudan because the Havana regime refuses to accept the repatriation of Cubans with criminal records, and the United States government chose to send them to a third country considered "safe." This measure is part of a strategy to manage the deportation of immigrants whose countries of origin do not cooperate with their return.
What are the criminal records of Enrique Arias-Hierro and José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones?
Enrique Arias-Hierro has convictions for homicide, armed robbery, identity theft, and kidnapping. For his part, José Manuel Rodríguez-Quiñones has been convicted of attempted murder, theft, trafficking of animals, and assault. Both are considered threats to public and national security, according to U.S. immigration authorities.
What criticisms has the deportation of Cubans to South Sudan generated?
The deportation of Cubans to South Sudan has been criticized for being considered as violating due process and being used politically. South Sudan is known for human rights violations, raising doubts about its suitability as a "safe third country." Furthermore, the lack of opportunity for the deportees to contest their transfer has been the subject of judicial criticism and scrutiny from human rights advocates.
What role has the Cuban government played in the deportation of its citizens?
The Cuban regime refuses to accept the repatriation of citizens who left the island before 2017, leaving thousands of Cubans in a migratory limbo. This refusal has prompted U.S. authorities to seek alternatives, such as deportation to third countries, to address these situations.
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