The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Miami took into custody Allen Gómez, a 57-year-old Cuban national labeled by authorities as a "sexual predator" and a foreign offender, on Monday.
Featured on ICE's "Worst of the Worst" page, Gómez has a criminal record that includes lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and failing to register as a sex offender.
ICE stated that this arrest is part of a broader effort to remove immigrants with criminal backgrounds from American communities.
In their announcement, ICE highlighted that this operation is part of a series of recent arrests of Cuban nationals with significant criminal records, emphasizing that the agency's priority is to locate and detain foreigners deemed threats to public safety.
Gómez’s case adds to a growing list of Cubans facing deportation proceedings after serving sentences or being identified for serious crimes.
In a related event, ICE recently reported the arrest of Rolquis Torres Ricardo in Miami, another Cuban national with a history of child sexual abuse and domestic violence, labeled a "convicted criminal."
Torres Ricardo was apprehended at his residence by ICE agents, with support from state authorities, and was taken to the detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Everglades, where he remains in custody awaiting deportation.
Earlier in November, ICE also announced the detention of Jorge Muñiz García, who is also held at Alligator Alcatraz. He is described as a Cuban with an extensive criminal history that includes attempted murder, armed robbery, and burglary.
These incidents, according to the agency, reflect the ongoing strategy to identify and expel the most dangerous immigrants in the country.
The report states that these operations are part of a campaign called "Worst of the Worst," initiated by the Trump administration, aimed at locating and deporting foreigners with particularly severe criminal backgrounds.
Nonetheless, the process of repatriating Cuban nationals remains complex and lengthy due to the reluctance of the Havana government to accept citizens with criminal records or those who left the island before the 2017 migration agreements.
In some instances, the report notes, Cubans with final deportation orders have been sent to third countries, despite the associated risks.
The last deportation flight to Cuba occurred on November 6, with 232 irregular migrants returned to the island from the United States, marking the tenth such operation this year. According to Cuba's Ministry of the Interior (MININT), three of the repatriated individuals are under investigation for alleged crimes committed before their departure from the country.
With this operation, the total number of Cubans returned from the U.S. in 2025 rises to 1,231, surpassing previous administration levels and highlighting the tightening of U.S. immigration policy.
In this context, Allen Gómez's arrest represents another link in ICE's broader strategy: intensifying raids and deportations of immigrants with criminal convictions, focusing particularly on cases that the agency deems to pose a community risk, while ongoing tensions and practical difficulties in executing deportations to Cuba persist.
ICE Operations and Deportation Challenges
What are the charges against Allen Gómez?
Allen Gómez is charged with lewd and lascivious acts with a minor and failing to register as a sex offender.
What is the "Worst of the Worst" campaign?
The "Worst of the Worst" campaign is an initiative by ICE, started under the Trump administration, to identify and deport foreigners with severe criminal backgrounds.
Why is the repatriation of Cuban nationals challenging?
Repatriation of Cuban nationals is challenging due to Cuba's reluctance to accept citizens with criminal records or those who left before the 2017 migration agreements.
Where are detained Cuban nationals held?
Detained Cuban nationals are often held at the detention center known as "Alligator Alcatraz" in the Everglades.