In a recent crackdown, Texas authorities have detained Cuban migrants who illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexico border. This incident is part of a larger operation that intercepted over 170 migrants from various countries on Sunday. According to Chris Olivarez, spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), officers encountered a diverse group of 176 illegal immigrants, which included single adults, family groups, and unaccompanied minors, in Maverick County.
Olivarez initially reported on social media platform X that the authorities had arrested 15 adults for trespassing on private property. These individuals hailed from Cuba, El Salvador, Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, and Venezuela. However, the precise number of Cubans detained was not disclosed.
In a later update, it was clarified by a DPS official that the operation led to the arrest of 85 migrants for trespassing, including 11 Special Interest Aliens (SIA) from Afghanistan. This enforcement action aligns with Texas's strategy to curb illegal migrant crossings at its borders, known as Operation Lone Star, initiated in 2021 by Governor Greg Abbott.
Efforts to Curb Illegal Immigration
The Republican governor has pointed fingers at President Joe Biden's administration policies for the surge of migrants entering Texas illegally from Mexico. As part of Operation Lone Star, Abbott has also advocated for the construction of a border wall aimed at "safeguarding the border" and "deterring illegal immigration."
Despite these efforts, the influx of Cubans into the U.S. via land routes remains relentless, marking one of the largest migratory waves in the island's history. The latest report from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) indicated that in October, the first month of the fiscal year 2025, a total of 8,261 Cubans entered the U.S. through irregular means.
Cuban Migration Trends
Although the figure reflects the ongoing Cuban migration wave to the U.S., it represents a decline compared to previous fiscal periods, such as FY2023, which saw 29,882 encounters in October, and 2024, with 18,064. Throughout fiscal year 2024, CBP processed 217,615 Cubans entering the U.S., the second-highest number since 2021, only surpassed by the 224,607 record in fiscal year 2022.
By late November, the Biden administration had deported 24 irregular Cuban migrants, including a woman, marking the twentieth deportation flight to Havana since operations resumed in April 2023. This added to a total of 936 Cubans returned to the island by air, as documented by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and reported by CaféFuerte.
Future of U.S. Immigration Policy
Following his re-election for a second term, Donald Trump declared that his priorities include implementing a stringent immigration plan to significantly limit the entry of migrants to the U.S. Trump plans to terminate two key mechanisms facilitating Cuban arrivals: the humanitarian parole program, which has also benefited Venezuelans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans, and the CBP One appointment system.
The 47th elected President of the U.S. also announced his intent to declare a national emergency and utilize military force to execute his mass deportation strategy.
Understanding Cuban Migration to the U.S.
What is Operation Lone Star?
Operation Lone Star is a Texas state initiative launched in 2021 by Governor Greg Abbott to deter illegal immigration across the Texas-Mexico border. It includes measures such as increased border security and the construction of a border wall.
How has Cuban migration to the U.S. changed recently?
While Cuban migration to the U.S. via land has been significant, recent figures show a decline compared to previous years, although it remains a major part of the ongoing migration wave.
What changes in immigration policy is Donald Trump proposing?
Donald Trump plans to restrict immigration significantly by ending the humanitarian parole program and the CBP One appointment system, as well as declaring a national emergency to facilitate mass deportations.