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Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas following concerns from Florida constituents who inquired about their family members, Cuban nationals, who remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

“As you know, for more than six decades, the Cuban regime has been hostile to the freedoms, democratic values and the human rights of the Cuban people,” Rubio wrote. “As a result, Cuban nationals continue to risk their lives and seek the American dream and the promise of a brighter future in the United States. It is for these reasons that I respectfully request your timely response to my query.”

Rubio is the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Transnational Crime, Civilian Security, Democracy, Human Rights, and Global Women’s Issues.

The full text of the letter is below.

Dear Secretary Mayorkas: 

I write to you regarding concerns that have come to my attention from constituents whose family members – who are Cuban nationals – remain in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.  The constituents have expressed dismay with the length of time and far reached locations where their family members are currently detained.  It is imperative that the United States remain committed to enforcing federal immigration law – which includes affording Cuban nationals presently in the United States the legal process they may be eligible for under the Cuban Adjustment Act. 

Therefore, I respectfully request information related to Cuban nationals in ICE detention nationwide, including the number of Cuban nationals in ICE detention, duration of detention, location, and reasons for detention.  

Please provide information responsive to each of the following data points no later than March 31, 2021:   

• The number of Cuban nationals in ICE custody as of March 24, 2021.
• The number of Cuban nationals in ICE custody as of March 24, 2020.
• The names and locations of the five facilities housing the most Cuban nationals as of March 24, 2021.
• The grounds on which the Cuban nationals in ICE custody as of March 24, 2021, have been determined to be inadmissible or removable.
  • The number of Cuban nationals with criminal records.
  • The number of Cuban nationals that were determined not to have met the credible fear standard for asylum.
• A breakdown of duration in custody for Cuban nationals in ICE custody as of March 24, 2021.
  • Number of individuals in custody for three to six months.
    • Reasons detained
  • Number of individuals in custody for six months to one year.
    • Reasons detained
  • Number of individuals in custody for one year or more.
    • Reasons detained
  • Number of individuals in custody for two years or more.
    • Reasons detained

As you know, for more than six decades, the Cuban regime has been hostile to the freedoms, democratic values and the human rights of the Cuban people.  As a result, Cuban nationals continue to risk their lives and seek the American dream and the promise of a brighter future in the United States. It is for these reasons that I respectfully request your timely response to my query. 

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

RUBIO BUSCA RESPUESTAS SOBRE CUBANOS DETENIDOS POR ICE

Washington, D.C. — El senador estadounidense Marco Rubio (R-FL) le envió una carta al secretario de Seguridad Nacional, Alejandro Mayorkas, tras preocupaciones de floridanos preguntando por sus familiares, ciudadanos cubanos, que permanecen bajo la custodia del Servicio de Inmigración y Control de Aduanas (ICE, por sus siglas en inglés).

“Como sabe, durante más de seis décadas, el régimen cubano ha sido hostil con las libertades basicas, los valores democráticos y los derechos humanos del pueblo cubano”, Rubio escribió. “Como resultado, los ciudadanos cubanos continúan arriesgando sus vidas y buscan el sueño americano y la promesa de un mejor futuro en los Estados Unidos. Es por estas razones solicito respetuosamente su respuesta oportuna a mi misiva”.

El texto de la carta en inglés está aquí. 

Rubio es el Miembro de Más Alto Rango del Subcomité sobre Hemisferio Occidental, Crimen Transnacional, Seguridad Civil, Democracia, Derechos Humanos y Asuntos Globales de la Mujer.