The United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported a Cuban national with a significant criminal history as part of a renewed effort targeting undocumented immigrants convicted of serious crimes, as exclusively reported by the conservative outlet Townhall.
Francisco Matos Izquierdo, the deportee in question, has been convicted of assault, cocaine distribution, and aggravated assault, and has previous arrests for domestic violence and drug possession, according to the provided information.
Matos Izquierdo was part of a deportation flight that also included four other immigrants with notable criminal records. Among them was Guatemalan Diego Cardona, convicted of homicide and identified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as a member of the 18th Street Gang; Mexican Andrés González Hernández, with convictions for robbery, theft, assault, sexual assault, and burglary, also identified as a member of the Paisas gang; another Mexican national, José Manuel Ibarra Sánchez, convicted of domestic violence and arson; and Ecuadorian Junior Gabriel Arcentales Villavicencio, sentenced for drug-related offenses.
ICE Operations Targeting Criminals
Markwayne Mullin, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), posted on X stating, "U.S. citizenship is a privilege. If you come here illegally, you're breaking the law."
DHS Undersecretary Lauren Bis emphasized that such operations are integral to the administration's strategy to expedite the removal of immigrants with criminal backgrounds. "Every day, ICE is deporting more criminal illegal immigrants, the worst of the worst. Just yesterday, we deported murderers, sex offenders, arsonists, drug dealers, and gang members," she stated.
Bis further noted that under Donald Trump's leadership and Mullin's guidance, immigration authorities have been afforded greater latitude to conduct arrests and deportations.
Rising Deportations Among Cubans
The deportation of Matos Izquierdo comes amid a tightening of immigration policies affecting Cuban nationals. In the first half of 2026 alone, the U.S. deported 740 Cubans on 25 repatriation flights. Additionally, more than 1,600 Cubans received deportation orders in June, according to DHS data.
U.S. authorities also report a sharp increase in ICE actions against Cuban citizens. Official figures indicate a 463% rise in Cuban detentions from late 2024 to early 2026, with over 42,000 under final deportation orders awaiting execution.
Voluntary Departure Campaign
Simultaneously, the DHS is running a public campaign encouraging the voluntary departure of undocumented immigrants. The agency posted a message on social media this Tuesday: "Don’t hesitate to repatriate!" This initiative aims to reduce the number of individuals subject to deportation proceedings through self-expulsion.
Deportation and Arrest Statistics
According to Townhall, a DHS spokesperson confirmed that by July 12, over 985,000 undocumented immigrants had been deported since the start of Donald Trump's second term, with authorities conducting more than one million immigration-related arrests.
The spokesperson added that over three million individuals have left the U.S. during this time, including around 2.2 million who opted for voluntary departure. ABC News reported that DHS has executed over 350,000 deportations in the current fiscal year 2026.
Secretary Mullin reiterated the government's aim to remove immigrants convicted of serious crimes from the streets. "We are committed to getting these drug dealers, pedophiles, fraudsters, and other criminal immigrants off our streets," he concluded.
Understanding ICE Deportation Operations
What is the purpose of ICE's recent deportation operation?
ICE's recent operation aims to expel undocumented immigrants who have been convicted of serious crimes, as part of a broader strategy to enhance public safety.
How has the deportation policy shifted for Cuban nationals?
The policy has become stricter, with a significant increase in deportations and detentions of Cuban nationals, reflecting a tougher stance on immigration.
What are the reported statistics for deportations under Trump's second term?
As of July 12, over 985,000 undocumented immigrants have been deported, with more than three million individuals leaving the U.S., including 2.2 million voluntary departures.