On Tuesday, U.S. authorities announced the arrest of Osiel Rodríguez-González, a Cuban national residing illegally in the U.S. He was apprehended by Border Patrol agents in the Florida Keys. The head of the Miami Sector of the Border Patrol shared on social media platform X that Rodríguez-González is not only facing animal cruelty charges but also has a history of domestic violence and cocaine distribution.
Currently, Rodríguez-González is in federal detention awaiting deportation proceedings, as noted in the official statement. In April 2024, he was taken into custody in Marathon, Florida, for allegedly beating and strangling a small dog.
According to Adam Linhardt, spokesperson for the Monroe County Sheriff's Office, several witnesses reported the incident at a residence on Sombrero Beach Road around 8:20 p.m. Eyewitnesses claimed that in a fit of rage, Rodríguez-González verbally abused the dog, struck it, and choked it by the neck.
The dog managed to escape and hid beneath a passing car. The driver of the vehicle stopped to assist the animal, but Rodríguez-González allegedly seized the dog by the throat in a violent confrontation. When officers arrived, they found the dog visibly trembling and seemingly trying to hide from its owner.
Afterward, the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals examined the dog and reported no serious injuries, according to the official report. Rodríguez-González was detained and taken to the county jail with a bond set at $75,000.
The immigration policies during Donald Trump's presidency continue to spark controversy in the United States, impacting thousands of Cuban migrants. Recently, the arrest of Yolanda Magallón Pérez, an undocumented mother in California, sparked outrage as she was the primary caregiver for her daughter, Xitlali Tejeda, who is battling aggressive bone cancer.
ICE's detention of Magallón left her daughter without support, prompting protests from pro-immigrant organizations and calls for Magallón's release. Her case arises amidst a backdrop of mass deportations of Cubans under Trump's administration. On February 27, 104 Cubans were returned in the first deportation flight since the former president regained office.
This operation, conducted under tight security, is part of the immigration agreements between Washington and Havana. So far, 296 Cubans have been sent back to the island in 2025. Magallón's arrest and the increase in deportations highlight the tightening of immigration policies in the U.S. Despite pressure from activists and local politicians, the chances of Xitlali's mother being released on bail are slim, as current legislation does not assist when the dependent is an adult.
As uncertainty mounts among migrants, Cuban authorities have confirmed that deportees are being investigated and, in some cases, detained for leaving the country illegally or having criminal records. In this tense environment, thousands of Cubans in the U.S. fear they might be next to be expelled.
FAQs on Cuban Deportations and Legal Concerns
What are the charges against Osiel Rodríguez-González?
Osiel Rodríguez-González is facing charges of animal cruelty, domestic violence, and has a history of cocaine distribution.
What prompted the outrage over Yolanda Magallón Pérez's arrest?
Yolanda Magallón Pérez's arrest sparked outrage because she was the primary caregiver for her daughter, who is suffering from aggressive bone cancer, leaving her without essential support.
How are U.S. immigration policies affecting Cuban migrants?
U.S. immigration policies, particularly under the Trump administration, have tightened, leading to mass deportations of Cuban migrants and heightened fears among those residing in the U.S.