Law enforcement officers in Broward County have transferred Cuban national Noslan Ruiz Bernal to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following his second arrest for armed burglary in southern Florida, according to official reports.
Ruiz Bernal had a prior conviction for a similar crime: in 2014, shortly after securing his permanent residency card in the United States, he was found guilty of committing an armed burglary of a vehicle in Davie, Florida. He served over a year in prison before being released back into the community, as revealed by ICE on social media platform X.
This time, local authorities adopted a different approach. Broward County, part of the 287(g) program which facilitates cooperation between local and federal agencies, complied with ICE's immigration detainer and transferred Ruiz Bernal to federal custody instead of releasing him.
ICE specifically lauded this action: "Broward County honored ICE's detainer and handed him over to federal agents, preventing his release into the community, which sanctuary jurisdictions are generally reluctant to do."
Ruiz Bernal's case was highlighted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a statement reporting the arrests of foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes, including murder and sexual assault of minors, as of April 30.
Lauren Bis, acting assistant secretary at DHS, stated, "ICE will continue to remove these threats to public safety from our communities."
The 287(g) program, reactivated and significantly expanded since January 2025, allows specific local agencies to work with federal authorities to identify, locate, and detain individuals without legal status in the U.S. Currently, over 800 agencies nationwide participate in the initiative.
Florida leads in active agreements under this program, partly due to a 2019 state law mandating counties with detention facilities to enter such agreements, distinguishing it from sanctuary jurisdictions.
Ruiz Bernal's case is part of a significant increase in ICE operations targeting Cubans with criminal records in Florida. Recently, a Cuban federal fugitive was captured in Hialeah after accumulating two arrest warrants, and another Cuban national was detained in Miami under the Laken Riley Law, the first legislation signed by President Donald Trump on January 29, 2025, mandating DHS to detain undocumented individuals accused of robbery or other serious crimes without bail.
Arrests of Cubans surged by 463% between October 2024 and January 2026, according to the Cato Institute. Concurrently, approvals for permanent residency for Cubans plummeted by 99.8% in the same period, dropping from over 10,000 monthly to just 15 in January 2026.
Understanding the Impact of ICE Operations in Florida
What is the 287(g) program?
The 287(g) program is a federal initiative that allows local law enforcement agencies to collaborate with ICE in identifying, locating, and detaining individuals without legal status in the United States.
Why did Broward County hand over Noslan Ruiz Bernal to ICE?
Broward County transferred Noslan Ruiz Bernal to ICE as part of the 287(g) program, complying with an immigration detainer order to prevent his release back into the community.
How have Cuban arrests by ICE changed recently?
Arrests of Cuban nationals by ICE in Florida have increased by 463% between October 2024 and January 2026, reflecting a broader crackdown on those with criminal records.
What is the Laken Riley Law?
The Laken Riley Law, signed by President Donald Trump in 2025, requires the DHS to detain undocumented individuals accused of serious crimes without the possibility of bail.