Relatives of two young Cuban men detained on Tuesday, October 13, during a routine Coast Guard inspection in Islamorada, Florida Keys, are disputing the official account. They assert that the young men had their asylum applications actively in process and all their documentation was valid, contrary to the authorities' claims.
The arrest occurred during an inspection of a Bayliner boat equipped with a Yamaha engine.
Javier Díaz, a reporter with Univision 23, aired an exclusive report on Saturday, revealing the identities of those detained, as shared by their families.
The individuals in question are Jorge Marlon Arcelo Paula, age 28, and his cousin Junior López Rodríguez, age 26, both possessing I-220A documents.
Neither ICE nor CBP has publicly confirmed their identities or the precise status of their cases.
Family's Perspective
The young men's families approached Univision to present their side and seek assistance, highlighting three main areas of conflict with the official narrative:
- Neither received any notification of their asylum applications being denied. "They have never received any notice that it was denied," a family member told the journalist.
- Both have clean records. "They've never had a ticket, never had anything on their record, all very clean," added the same source.
- The boating excursion was routine for them and did not involve crossing borders.
According to Marlon's aunt, both men regularly went fishing locally, always staying within U.S. waters. The family emphasizes that their asylum cases are still pending, not denied as the government alleges.
Authorities' Narrative
The Southeast District Coast Guard released a statement on October 15, two days post-arrest, omitting the names of those involved and not clarifying if the boat was in international waters during the inspection.
The statement noted: "A vessel crew from USCG Station Islamorada identified two Cuban nationals who had been denied asylum and are not legally authorized to remain in the U.S. during a vessel safety inspection on Tuesday. Both were transferred to Border Patrol for processing."
Legal Advice and Warning
Immigration attorney Rosaly Chaviano, interviewed by Javier Díaz, stated that the Coast Guard has the authority to request documents during inspections in U.S. waters, even on recreational boats.
If they find someone with a deportation order — even if not final — they must refer the case to Border Patrol. "They may also have orders to check if a person has a status or not," Chaviano mentioned, referencing stricter immigration controls under the current administration.
Regarding the detainees' future, Chaviano was clear: "If that order is final, they can indeed be deported to Cuba immediately if Cuba accepts them. If not final, they might wait at a detention center for the Board of Appeals' decision on their appeal, which can take months, literally."
Chaviano also issued a direct warning to the Cuban community with pending immigration processes: "It's important that people, if they have a pending process and are not yet residents or U.S. citizens, refrain from leaving the country, even just to fish," she cautioned.
As of this report's closure, both young men remain in Border Patrol facilities in Miramar.
Heightened Immigration Pressures
What sets this case apart is that the arrest did not happen during an ICE supervision appointment or a land checkpoint but during a maritime safety inspection of a recreational boat, an uncommon practice that has raised alarm among the Cuban community in Florida.
The incident occurred amid a week of heightened migratory activity in the Keys.
On the same Tuesday, October 13, the Coast Guard repatriated six individuals to Cuba following two maritime operations conducted on the 8th and 11th of the month.
A day later, a Cuban rescued off Key Biscayne was deported back to the island.
Reports indicate a 463% surge in ICE detentions of Cubans in Florida between late 2024 and early 2026, reflecting the state's intensified enforcement measures.
Asylum cases, detentions, and immigration documents like the I-220A are issues affecting thousands of Cubans in the U.S. Stay updated on all details in our U.S. Immigration section.
Understanding Cuban Immigration Challenges
What documentation did the detained Cuban men possess?
The detained Cuban men, Jorge Marlon Arcelo Paula and Junior López Rodríguez, both had I-220A documents.
Why did the families approach Univision?
The families sought Univision's platform to present their side of the story and seek help, as they believe the official version of events is inaccurate.
What authority does the Coast Guard have during inspections?
The Coast Guard can request documents during inspections in U.S. waters, including those on recreational vessels, and refer cases to Border Patrol if necessary.