The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Thursday the arrest of Cuban national Bárbaro Grass-Vásquez, who has a criminal history of sexual offenses and an active final deportation order since 2020.
According to details shared by the federal agency on social media platform X, the individual had been convicted in Nevada on four counts of sexual assault, crimes that initially resulted in a life sentence.
However, he was later released on parole by the state's Department of Corrections.
"Four counts of sexual assault meant a life sentence in Nevada for the illegal Cuban immigrant and offender Bárbaro Grass-Vásquez, but he was paroled shortly after... Now, thanks to ICE agents, he is no longer on the streets," the agency stated.
ICE emphasized that the individual possesses a definitive expulsion order issued in 2020, which means he will be deported as part of the current immigration control operations.
The arrest occurs amid a tightening of U.S. immigration policies, where authorities have increased actions against undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal backgrounds.
In recent weeks, the agency has reported several arrests of Cuban nationals with severe criminal records.
On Wednesday, Ramón Enrique Oliva Lao was detained in New Orleans, facing multiple charges including theft, two counts of evading arrest, endangering minors, reckless conduct, credit card fraud, identity theft, and computer fraud.
Another significant case took place in Boston, where José Adalberto Miranda Espino was arrested. He had a final deportation order since 2001 and was convicted for second-degree murder and possession of burglary tools, highlighting the profile of individuals being prioritized in these operations.
Likewise, in Detroit, immigration authorities captured Aliosky Rosales Michelena, a Cuban with a history that includes murder, armed robbery, and aggravated assault against an elderly person.
In the same operation, Rafael Cortina Pantoja was detained, convicted of multiple violent crimes such as armed kidnapping, violent robbery, and breaking and entering. He was placed in a detention center in the Everglades awaiting deportation.
These actions are part of a broader strategy led by former President Donald Trump's administration, which strengthened joint operations between federal agencies and local law enforcement to locate, apprehend, and deport undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records.
According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), approximately 70% of immigrants arrested in these operations are convicted criminals or face criminal charges.
However, human rights organizations have questioned these figures, arguing that people without criminal backgrounds, many of whom have lived in the country for years, are also being detained.
Specifically for Cuban nationals, deportation figures have significantly increased in recent months. Between January 2025 and February 19, 2026, the United States deported 1,784 Cubans on flights organized by ICE.
In one of the most recent operations, conducted on February 9, 2026, 170 Cubans were repatriated in a single flight, including at least 50 with convictions for serious crimes such as murder, rape, kidnapping, and drug trafficking.
This marked a significant shift, as the Cuban government had previously refused to accept the return of citizens with criminal backgrounds who emigrated before 2017.
With this change, deportation flights to the island have reached record numbers. According to data collected by the site Café Fuerte, more than 5,000 Cubans have been expelled during Trump's terms, representing the highest level recorded.
Currently, over 42,000 Cuban nationals with final deportation orders remain in the United States, according to official DHS figures, suggesting that detention and deportation operations will continue in the coming months.
The arrest of Bárbaro Grass-Vásquez adds to a series of recent actions that highlight the hardening of immigration policy and the priority focus on individuals with criminal records, amid increasing pressure on irregular immigration in the country.
ICE Operations and Cuban Deportations
What led to the arrest of Bárbaro Grass-Vásquez?
Bárbaro Grass-Vásquez was arrested by ICE due to his criminal history of sexual offenses and an active deportation order from 2020.
How has ICE's approach to immigration enforcement changed under recent administrations?
Under recent administrations, ICE has intensified joint operations with federal and local authorities to locate and deport undocumented immigrants, focusing particularly on those with criminal records.
How have deportation figures for Cuban nationals changed recently?
Deportation figures for Cuban nationals have increased significantly, with more than 5,000 Cubans expelled during Trump's terms, reaching record numbers.