A former Cuban judge, who was lauded on national television for her "loyalty to the revolution" less than a year and a half ago, now faces deportation proceedings in the United States. Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez, 62, was apprehended on March 20 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at Miami International Airport.
The Cuban exile community is particularly outraged because just months before her arrival in the U.S., Acanda Rodríguez was honored in Cuba for her commitment to the revolutionary system. In December 2023, during the 50th anniversary celebration of the People's Courts System, she was awarded the Judicial Merit Order, one of the sector's highest honors.
The ceremony, broadcast by TV Yumurí, featured Acanda Rodríguez emotionally clutching a bouquet of flowers, publicly expressing gratitude to the revolution. "It's indescribable, a recognition of a lifetime's work, fulfilling my dreams, and the best example of the revolution's achievements," she declared on camera.
Acanda Rodríguez entered the U.S. on an immigrant visa obtained through family sponsorship, failing to disclose her active membership in the Cuban Communist Party (PCC) or her more than three-decade tenure as a judge in Matanzas, where she was a prominent regime figure.
According to journalist Mario J. Pentón and a CBP statement, Acanda Rodríguez provided "false information" during her immigration process to gain entry into the country. The agency reported that she admitted to concealing critical details about her ideological and professional connections to Cuba's communist judicial system.
This stark contrast between her public praise in Cuba and her attempt to settle in the U.S. as an ordinary immigrant has sparked debate over the effectiveness of immigration controls and the arrival of individuals linked to the regime's repressive apparatus.
The former judge now faces federal charges for immigration fraud, misrepresentation, and submitting false documents under Title 18 of the United States Code. She has also been declared inadmissible under section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, placing her in deportation proceedings and possible prosecution.
Acanda Rodríguez's case adds to a growing list of Cuban regime officials who have managed to enter the United States by hiding their credentials and political ties, whether through family reunification programs, humanitarian visas, or parole. This phenomenon has drawn strong opposition from the Cuban American community, particularly in South Florida, where exile organizations and several congress members have demanded stricter measures to prevent those with a history of collaboration with the communist regime from seeking refuge in a country that has long symbolized freedom for thousands of persecuted Cubans.
From Washington, the State Department reiterated that the issuance of a visa does not guarantee definitive access to the country, and all beneficiaries are subject to ongoing review even after their arrival. "We are committed to protecting our borders and ensuring that those entering the United States do so transparently and without ties to authoritarian regimes," a spokesperson declared.
Meanwhile, Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez remains in federal custody, awaiting judicial decisions that could send her back to the country whose revolutionary achievements she once praised... until she tried to leave them behind.
Key Questions About Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez's Case
What led to the arrest of Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez in the United States?
Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez was arrested for providing false information during her immigration process, concealing her active ties to the Cuban Communist Party and her long-standing judicial career in Cuba.
How has the Cuban exile community reacted to the case?
The Cuban exile community, especially in South Florida, has expressed strong outrage, calling for stricter immigration measures to prevent individuals with ties to the Cuban regime from entering the U.S.
What charges does the former judge face in the U.S.?
Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez faces charges of immigration fraud, misrepresentation, and submitting false documents under U.S. law, as well as being declared inadmissible under immigration statutes.