Cuban Content Creator Records Tense Encounter with Immigration Officer in Key West

Osvaldo Oliva, a Cuban content creator recognized on TikTok as @osvaldooliva76, recently shared a seven-and-a-half-minute video capturing a tense encounter with an officer, allegedly from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), who stopped him while driving in Key West, Florida.

As a legal permanent resident of the United States, Oliva recorded the entire interaction with the officer and later uploaded it to his social media platforms, entitling it: "ICE stops me in Key West." In the video, he mentions it's not his first time being pulled over in that area.

"This is the second time they're stopping me here. Of course, this is Key West; they stop you for no reason," Oliva remarked while waiting for the officer to check his vehicle's registration details.

The direct confrontation lasted around two minutes, during which Oliva questioned the legality of the stop and initially refused to hand over his documents: "Is this a legal stop? A legal stop for what? To check my immigration status? You're not a police officer or anything like that."

The officer firmly identified himself as an immigration and law enforcement officer, cautioning Oliva, "You're being detained for now. Sue me or whatever you want." He clarified that it wasn't a formal arrest: "At this moment, you're detained, not under arrest, just detained."

Tensions rose when the officer demanded Oliva's driver’s license and permanent resident card, warning, "If you don't have your license, you're coming with me; it's illegal not to have your license." Under pressure, Oliva eventually handed over his documents and was subsequently released. He did not publicly explain the specific reason for the stop.

Following the incident, Oliva addressed his community: "Thank God I'm a permanent resident, but I'm warning you just in case you can avoid passing through here. If it's not necessary, don't come, folks."

Social Media Sparks Heated Debate

The video ignited a heated debate online. Many users supported the immigration officer: "Does he think being a resident gives him the right to disobey the law? No words," commented one follower. Another added, "If he's a resident, he needs to carry his green card."

However, some defended Oliva: "The guy is within his rights; the officer is immigration, not traffic," stated a user receiving 50 positive reactions.

A highly reacted comment questioned the procedure: "Is it a crime not to carry the residency card? That's an abuse of power; he already verified he's a resident."

Increased ICE Operations in Key West

This incident is part of a broader context of intensified ICE operations in Key West, where local police can perform immigration duties alongside the federal agency after reinstating their 287(g) Cooperation Agreement in July 2025.

Regionally, the arrests of Cuban migrants surged by 463% between October 2024 and January 2026, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security.

ICE’s Miami office reported over 41,000 arrests since January 2025, processing nearly 6,000 individuals in July 2026 alone.

Legally, permanent residents have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment when dealing with ICE, but U.S. law requires them to carry proof of their immigration status. Not having a driver’s license is also an offense in Florida, giving the officer additional grounds to pressure Oliva for identification.