ICE Conducts Third Deportation Flight to Cuba in 2026

In another demonstration of intensified immigration policies under the second Trump administration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) executed the third mass deportation flight to Cuba of 2026, returning 117 Cuban migrants on March 19 to José Martí Airport in Havana.

This operation, confirmed by Cuba’s Ministry of Interior (MININT), raises to 1,901 the total number of Cuban citizens deported since January 2025, establishing an unprecedented historic record in bilateral immigration relations.

Details of the Third Deportation Flight

The March 19 flight transported 89 men and 28 women, three of whom were handed directly to Cuban “investigative agencies,” according to official MININT information published on social media.

This deportation marks a significant turning point in Cuban immigration policy, representing the third mass operation in less than three months and exceeding historic levels recorded under previous administrations.

Notable Cases: High-Profile Criminals

Parallel to this mass deportation, the U.S. Border Patrol announced the arrest and deportation of two Cuban citizens with extensive criminal backgrounds in the Florida Keys:

Javier: Classified as a “violent offender” with eight convictions for aggravated burglary, five for assault, five for resisting and obstructing police, plus a record for selling cocaine near churches or schools. He had a final deportation order since 2018.
José: Categorized as a “dangerous illegal foreign criminal,” he admitted to smuggling over 300 kilograms of cocaine from Bimini, Bahamas, to the Florida Keys. His record includes convictions for driving under influence, narcotics distribution, and trafficking opium and heroin, serving 10 years in federal custody.

Policy Shift: Cuba Accepts Criminals

An unprecedented development is the shift in Cuban government policy, which for the first time since 2017 has begun accepting repatriation of citizens with criminal backgrounds committed in the United States.

For decades, Havana had been reluctant to receive mass deportation flights, especially of individuals with criminal histories. However, under pressure from the Trump administration and the energy crisis gripping the island, Cuba accepted its first flight with approximately 50 criminals in February, including murderers, kidnappers, rapists, and drug traffickers.

Record Numbers: 5,286 Cubans Deported

According to data compiled by Café Fuerte, during the Republican president’s two terms, 5,286 Cuban citizens have been expelled from the United States, establishing an absolute record in the history of deportations between both countries.

The current escalation has been particularly dramatic:

2026: 1,901 deported (in just 15 months)
Total Trump: 5,286 deported
2026 monthly average: 127 deportations

Energy Crisis Context

These deportations occur at a critical moment for Cuba, facing a devastating energy crisis with blackouts of up to 16 hours daily and a 90% reduction in oil supply due to Trump’s intensified blockade.

The situation has generated a 340% increase in maritime crossings to Florida, while approximately 300,000 Cubans remain in legal limbo in the United States following suspension of humanitarian parole programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this historic deportation record represent?

The 5,286 deportations under Trump mark the highest number of Cuban citizen expulsions in U.S. history, exceeding levels from any previous administration and reflecting a radical hardening of immigration policies toward Cuba.

Why does Cuba now accept deported criminals?

The policy shift responds to multiple factors: Trump’s diplomatic pressure, internal energy crisis, possible negotiations over political prisoner releases, and the regime’s need to maintain immigration agreements to avoid additional sanctions.

How does this affect Cuban-American families?

Deportations have generated large-scale family separation, with documented cases of nursing mothers separated from U.S. citizen babies, creating lasting psychological trauma and humanitarian crises impacting the entire community.

What legal options do deportees have?

Individuals with deportation orders can file habeas corpus appeals, last-minute appeals, or seek protection under the Convention Against Torture if they demonstrate persecution risk in Cuba, though success rates are limited under current policies.

This third deportation flight of 2026 consolidates the most aggressive immigration escalation in U.S.-Cuba relations, marking a point of no return in immigration policies that will likely define the remainder of Trump’s term and future bilateral relations.