Norge Rodríguez Vergés, a Cuban human rights advocate and former political prisoner, has been held for nearly 10 months at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center in Pompano Beach, Florida. His family has launched an urgent public campaign demanding his release to prevent deportation to a third country.
From within the Broward Transitional Center, Rodríguez Vergés recorded a video breaking his silence, directly addressing Cuban exile organizations in Miami, U.S. Congress members, and State Department officials.
"I am reaching out for help from Cuban exile organizations, political figures, influencers, Congress members, competent authorities, the State Department, and ICE itself to have my case reconsidered," he stated calmly.
The activist recounted his experiences with repression under the Cuban regime. In 1996, he was sentenced to 10 years in prison on terrorism charges, which he describes as purely political, serving six years of his sentence.
Later, from 2014 to 2019, he served as a delegate for the province of Las Tunas for Cuba Independiente y Democrática, an opposition group established in 1980.
The Struggle for Freedom and Exile
According to Rodríguez Vergés, the Cuban state forced him into exile in 2019. During his emigration, his wife was physically assaulted by a Cuban security agent during a public denunciation event at their home.
On October 4, 2025, ICE apprehended him through its Fugitive Operations team. By June 2026, an immigration judge issued a final removal order. Nevertheless, his legal team and the government prosecutor agreed to grant him protection under the Convention Against Torture, which prevents direct deportation to Cuba.
This protection, however, does not assure his freedom or prevent relocation to a third country. ICE retains the authority to transfer him or keep him detained indefinitely.
Family Campaigns for Release
This uncertainty deeply concerns his family, who initiated the #LibertadParaNorge campaign on social media, tagging Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, María Elvira Salazar, and other political figures in their posts.
Rodríguez Vergés's criminal record includes traffic violations, such as reckless driving and driving under the influence, further complicating his legal situation.
His asylum case was administratively closed, but a judge ordered it reopened when his application for permanent residency under the Cuban Adjustment Act was not fulfilled.
Comparisons with Similar Cases
In a similar case, Cuban dissident Elionay González Crespo was released by ICE in April 2026 after nearly 10 months of detention.
"It's heartbreaking to have left my country fighting for its freedom, only to find myself in the so-called land of liberty and spend 10 months confined, fighting for my own freedom," Rodríguez Vergés lamented in his testimony.
In August 2026, ICE deported several Cubans to third countries like Liberia and Equatorial Guinea, causing alarm among the exile community. One case involved a Cuban with severe health issues being sent to Equatorial Guinea despite his medical condition.
FAQs on Norge Rodríguez Vergés' Detention and Campaign
Why is Norge Rodríguez Vergés detained by ICE?
He has been detained as part of ICE's immigration enforcement, awaiting a resolution on his protection under the Convention Against Torture, which prevents deportation to Cuba.
What actions have been taken to release Rodríguez Vergés?
His family launched the #LibertadParaNorge campaign, urging political figures and organizations for help, while legal efforts continue to reopen his asylum case.
What are the potential outcomes for his situation?
He could remain detained, be transferred to a third country, or be released if his case is successfully reconsidered and resolved.