The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported Andy Gomez-Niebla, a Cuban national who was convicted in Michigan for robbery and conspiracy to interfere with commerce. This development was confirmed in an official statement released by the Department of Homeland Security on Friday.
Gomez-Niebla was removed from the United States on August 21, following a final deportation order issued by a Department of Justice immigration judge on June 8, 2026. The ICE report states that he had entered the country illegally at an unspecified date and location.
The crimes he was convicted of fall under the Hobbs Act (18 U.S.C. § 1951), a federal statute that criminalizes robbery or conspiracy to commit robbery when it impacts interstate commerce, with penalties reaching up to 20 years in federal prison.
Deportations of Other Foreign Nationals
The Department of Homeland Security's statement also highlighted the deportation of other foreign nationals with serious criminal records during the same week. These included an Ecuadorian convicted of second-degree murder and kidnapping, a Bolivian with two counts of sexual assault with force, a Honduran guilty of sexual assault on a minor under 17, and a Mexican with convictions for arson, among other offenses.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin defended these operations, stating, "Every day, the brave men and women of ICE put themselves in harm's way to arrest and remove illegal aliens from our communities. Last week, ICE deported murderers, rapists, and arsonists. Under President Trump's leadership, we will always prioritize the safety of the American people. If you are here illegally, we will find you, arrest you, and deport you."
Policy Changes and Cuban Deportations
The case of Gomez-Niebla is part of a continuing trend of deportations of Cuban nationals with criminal backgrounds, following the Trump administration's stricter immigration policies. Historically, the Cuban regime resisted accepting return flights, but began permitting the return of deportees with criminal records starting in February 2026.
In the first half of the year, the United States deported 740 Cubans across 25 flights. By August 21, the total number of Cubans returned to the island from various countries had reached 882 individuals through 31 operations, as reported by Cuba's Ministry of the Interior.
Recently, ICE has deported other Cubans with extensive criminal histories, including convictions for fraud, vehicle theft, and attempted murder. These actions are part of a communication strategy by the administration to publicly justify its deportation operations.
In June 2026, immigration courts issued 1,642 deportation orders against Cubans, while in Florida, more than 4,000 orders accumulated from October 2025 to the same month, according to data from the TRAC analysis center at Syracuse University.
Insight into Cuban Deportations and U.S. Immigration Policy
What is the Hobbs Act?
The Hobbs Act is a federal law that criminalizes robbery and extortion affecting interstate or foreign commerce, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
How many Cubans were deported by the U.S. in 2026?
In the first six months of 2026, the United States deported 740 Cubans. By August 21, 882 Cubans had been returned to the island from various countries.
Why did Cuba start accepting deportees with criminal records?
In February 2026, Cuba began accepting deportees with criminal records as part of changes in immigration policy and diplomatic agreements.