Three Cuban citizens with serious criminal records were arrested during Easter weekend operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in three Florida cities with significant Cuban populations: Miami, Palm Beach, and Sarasota.

The arrests are part of the intensified federal “Worst of the Worst” campaign implemented under President Donald Trump’s second administration, which focuses on deporting undocumented immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds.

The Arrested and Their Crimes

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), among those detained is Reinier Fuentes Armentero, arrested during Easter weekend in Palm Beach. Fuentes has previous convictions on four counts related to the intentional possession, control, or viewing of child sexual exploitation material, making it one of the most severe cases among those arrested by ICE in recent days.

Yordan Carreras Céspedes, also arrested over the weekend, has a conviction for unarmed theft of an unattended vehicle in Sarasota.

Meanwhile, Israel Serrano Aguilera, arrested last Thursday in Miami, has a criminal record for aggravated stalking, according to an official DHS statement published on April 4.

”Worst of the Worst” Campaign

Recent operations are part of a broader federal offensive that DHS has identified as an effort to remove the most dangerous foreign criminals from the streets, who pose a threat to public safety.

Acting Undersecretary of Homeland Security Lauren Bis warned that the federal agency “is committed to protecting our homeland and will not relent in its effort to remove criminals from our communities.”

The operations are part of ICE’s intensified actions under President Donald Trump’s second administration, which prioritizes the detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants with criminal records.

Statistics and Context

According to official figures, approximately 70% of ICE arrests involve immigrants without legal status who have been accused or convicted of a crime in the United States.

Bis reiterated the president’s goal of making the country “safe again,” emphasizing that “more than three million undocumented immigrants are outside the country, and the number continues to rise.”

The most recent ICE arrests included illegal immigrants from various nationalities, convicted of murder, sexual assault of minors, child pornography, drug trafficking, harassment, theft, and other serious crimes.

Impact on the Cuban Community

Florida hosts the largest concentration of Cubans in the United States, with established communities particularly in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. The arrests in these areas reflect ICE’s specific focus on regions with high Cuban populations.

The “Worst of the Worst” campaign maintains an official website (WOW.DHS.Gov) where it publishes these cases for public awareness, as part of the Trump administration’s transparency strategy.

These arrests occur in the context of a general increase in ICE operations, which have resulted in record deportations of Cubans during 2026, reaching over 5,000 cases to date.

Community Resources and Legal Rights

The Cuban-American community in Florida has expressed concerns about the escalation of enforcement operations, while legal advocates emphasize the importance of understanding constitutional rights during encounters with immigration authorities.

Immigration attorneys recommend that all community members, regardless of status, should:

Know their rights during ICE encounters
Have emergency contact information readily available
Maintain copies of all immigration documents
Seek immediate legal counsel if detained

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the “Worst of the Worst” campaign? It’s a DHS initiative under Trump that specifically focuses on arresting and deporting undocumented immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds, prioritizing cases involving violence, sexual crimes, and drug trafficking.

Where can families of detainees find information? Families can contact specialized immigration attorneys and consult the official website WOW.DHS.Gov for information about publicly reported arrests.

What rights do arrestees have during these operations? They maintain the right to legal representation, to remain silent, and to request an immigration hearing. It’s crucial to contact an attorney immediately.

How does this affect other Cubans in Florida? The arrests specifically target individuals with serious criminal records. Cubans without criminal histories are not direct targets of these specific operations, although general immigration policies have been tightened.

For more information about current immigration policies and legal resources for the Cuban community, check our other coverage on record deportations and asylum changes.