DHS Admits Errors in 'Worst' Migrants List: 1,900 Cubans Included
The DHS website showcasing detained migrants as worst criminals is riddled with errors. About 1,900 Cubans are listed.
2 min read
Illustration: Aroma de Cuba (AI)
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) admitted that its controversial website designed to showcase detained migrants as “the worst of the worst” is riddled with errors — a situation directly affecting the approximately 1,900 Cubans who appear on the list.
A Portal with 25,000 Names and Hundreds of Errors
The webpage, launched in December 2025 and actively promoted by Secretary Kristi Noem and President Trump himself, publishes the names of approximately 25,000 detained migrants along with the crimes for which they were allegedly arrested or convicted.
However, a CNN investigation revealed that thousands of people listed as dangerous criminals actually had minor charges:
- Isolated traffic fines
- Marijuana possession
- Illegal re-entry following a prior deportation
These individuals were classified alongside people accused of homicide or sexual offenses, all under the same “worst of the worst” label.
1,900 Cubans Under Scrutiny
The portal’s breakdown by nationality reveals a significant Cuban presence:
| Country | Approximate Number |
|---|---|
| Mexico | ~12,500 (nearly half) |
| Honduras | ~2,100 |
| Guatemala | ~1,900 |
| Cuba | ~1,900 |
| El Salvador | ~1,200 |
Family members of listed Cubans have contacted outlets like CiberCuba to report that their loved ones were incorrectly identified as convicted of serious crimes they never committed.
DHS Blames a “Technical Glitch”
Confronted with CNN’s evidence, a DHS spokesperson acknowledged that charges against hundreds of listed migrants were “described incorrectly.” The inaccuracies were attributed to a “technical glitch” that allegedly affected approximately 5% of the entries.
“Many of those listed with traffic violations and illegal re-entry, which is a serious crime, have additional offenses,” the spokesperson argued in defense of the portal.
However, CNN noted it was unable to independently verify the individual descriptions of each of the thousands of names included.
Not the First Time
This isn’t the first time the Trump administration has acknowledged errors in publicly showcasing detained migrants. Previously, the White House admitted to publishing the image of a man it incorrectly described as convicted of a sexual offense.
An Increasingly Hostile Environment
The error-filled list adds to a landscape growing harsher by the week for Cuban migrants:
- 302 deported so far in 2026
- Work permit restrictions for asylum seekers
- Cuba accepting deportees with criminal records for the first time
- ICE detention bed expansion to 92,600
For Cubans appearing on the list with incorrect information, immigration attorneys recommend documenting any errors and seeking legal assistance as soon as possible, as inclusion on the portal could complicate future immigration proceedings.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DHS 'Worst of the Worst' list?
How many Cubans are on the list?
What kind of errors does the list contain?
Can Cubans listed incorrectly get their information corrected?
How we got here
Background
The first thing we published on this topic.
Fernández de Cossío: Cuba Open to US Dialogue, No Talks Yet
The Cuban Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs clarifies Havana's position amid Trump's claims about alleged bilateral negotiations.
Washington Demands Havana Stop Repudiation Acts Against Mike Hammer
The State Department demands Cuba cease 'repressive acts' against the American diplomat and calls the Cuban government an 'illegitimate regime.'
Related articles
DHS: 7% of Cuba's Population Entered the U.S. Under Biden
Homeland Security claims 7% of all Cubans crossed illegally into the US between 2021 and 2025. Cuba ranks alongside Nicaragua.
Nicaragua Requires Visas From 128 Countries, Shutting Cuban Route
Ortega regime imposes consulted visas on Cubans, Venezuelans and 126 other nationalities under Trump pressure.
U.S. Spent $40 Million Deporting Migrants to Third Countries
Senate report reveals Trump administration deported 300 people to countries they'd never lived in, raising concerns for Cubans in ICE custody.
Cuba releases 51 prisoners: hope for exiled families?
Cuba announces release of 51 prisoners after Vatican negotiation, while 300,000 Cubans in US await immigration resolution under Trump
US plans Guantanamo camp for Cubans fleeing Trump's own oil blockade
General reveals military plans to detain Cuban refugees at Guantanamo while oil blockade deepens humanitarian crisis on the island
Cuba releases 51 prisoners after Trump ultimatum
The Cuban government released 51 political prisoners following Marco Rubio's 72-hour ultimatum. Analysis of implications for Cubans in exile.