The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on Tuesday the arrest of Elias Cardoza-Torres, a 58-year-old Cuban national who had lived under a final deportation order for more than 26 years while accumulating multiple convictions for crimes involving drugs, weapons, and theft.
ICE reported that Cardoza-Torres was turned over to the agency on June 11 by the Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office after he was released from local custody. Since then, he has remained in detention awaiting deportation.
According to ICE, Cardoza-Torres's criminal history spans nearly three decades and includes convictions for selling heroin, possessing cocaine on two occasions, burglary, vehicle theft, drug possession, and a felony involving weapons. He was also arrested for assault.
His first conviction dates back to November 1991 when he was sentenced to two days in jail for cocaine possession.
In 1997, he was sentenced to 22 months in prison for burglary, and in 1999, he received a five-year sentence for selling heroin.
In subsequent years, he faced sentences for vehicle theft, drug possession, another cocaine possession charge, and a weapons-related felony, with offenses committed between 2011 and 2018.
ICE highlighted that the majority of these crimes were committed after an immigration judge ordered his deportation on April 12, 2000.
As per the agency, Cardoza-Torres entered the United States in 1989 with a temporary stay permit but never adjusted his immigration status, despite being eligible to apply for permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act after one year and a day in the country.
ICE Acting Director David J. Venturella stated that the detainee "completely disregarded" both immigration and criminal laws.
"Cardoza-Torres was never a legal permanent resident of the United States, and an immigration judge ordered his deportation more than 26 years ago. We are dealing with a person who completely ignored our immigration and criminal laws," Venturella emphasized.
The official also expressed gratitude for the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office's cooperation.
"Fortunately, the Miami-Dade County Sheriff's Office transferred him to ICE custody, where he will remain pending deportation," he added.
This arrest comes amid increased cooperation between local authorities and the federal government on immigration matters.
Florida is the only state where all 67 county sheriffs maintain active agreements with ICE under the 287(g) program, promoted by Governor Ron DeSantis. In June of this year, Miami-Dade formalized its participation in the program, which allows the identification and transfer of undocumented immigrants from county jails to federal custody.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, over 42,000 Cuban nationals currently have pending final deportation orders in the United States.
Key Information About Cuban Deportation and ICE Involvement
Who is Elias Cardoza-Torres?
Elias Cardoza-Torres is a 58-year-old Cuban citizen arrested by ICE for a deportation order that has been pending for over 26 years. He has a long history of criminal convictions in the United States.
What crimes has Cardoza-Torres committed?
His criminal record includes convictions for selling heroin, cocaine possession, burglary, vehicle theft, drug possession, a weapons-related felony, and assault.
What is the 287(g) program in Florida?
The 287(g) program is an initiative that allows local law enforcement to collaborate with ICE in identifying and transferring undocumented immigrants from local custody to federal custody. Florida is the only state where all county sheriffs participate in this program.
How many Cubans face deportation from the U.S.?
Over 42,000 Cuban nationals currently have pending deportation orders in the United States, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security.