Misael Enamorado Dager, who served as the first secretary of the Communist Party in Santiago de Cuba from 2001 to 2009, has been named on a list of 100 Cuban nationals that, according to a report by Republican Congressman Carlos Giménez, should be investigated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for potential deportation.
Currently residing in Houston, Texas, Enamorado entered the United States under a parole program, details of which became public in December 2023. According to a source close to the independent outlet 14ymedio, the former official relocated with his wife Lourdes to join their son, who has lived in the U.S. for several years and had initiated migration procedures.
Enamorado's political history in Cuba is extensive. After leaving his post in Santiago in 2009, he was promoted in 2011 to Secretary of the PCC during the organization's Sixth Congress, joining the political core alongside prominent figures like Esteban Lazo and José Ramón Machado Ventura. However, his career took a turn in 2013 when he was removed from the Central Committee amid a restructuring led by Raúl Castro. Since then, Enamorado remained out of the public eye until his eventual emigration.
Report Exposes Cuban Repressors in the U.S.
The report submitted by Giménez, titled "Cuban Repressors in the United States of America," highlights the presence of former Cuban officials, ex-military personnel, and intelligence agents in the U.S., accusing them of participating in acts of repression on the island. The congressman argues that allowing these individuals to stay in the U.S. contradicts the country's values of freedom and democracy.
"The presence of these regime operatives not only endangers our communities but also provides the Cuban regime with a base for espionage, political coercion, and illicit activities within our borders," Giménez warned in a letter to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
The congressman also criticized the use of legal tools like the Cuban Adjustment Act and humanitarian programs to protect individuals with direct ties to the communist regime, emphasizing that these measures were designed to protect victims, not oppressors.
Exile Community Demands Stricter Background Checks
The call for deportation has gained support from Cuban exile groups who have long demanded stricter background checks for those seeking asylum or parole. They argue that the arrival of former regime officials insults those who have fled repression and seek justice.
So far, the DHS has not released an official statement regarding the report or confirmed specific actions concerning the named individuals. However, the recent case of Tomás Emilio Hernández Cruz—a former intelligence official detained in Florida for concealing information on his immigration application—could set a precedent in handling such cases.
The inclusion of Misael Enamorado on the list underscores the growing political pressure to purge the U.S. of figures linked to Cuba's repressive apparatus, potentially leading to future investigations and deportations in the coming months.
Frequently Asked Questions on Cuban Officials in the U.S.
Who is Misael Enamorado?
Misael Enamorado is a former first secretary of the Communist Party in Santiago de Cuba, serving from 2001 to 2009. He is currently residing in the U.S. and has been named on a list for potential deportation due to his past political role in Cuba.
What is the report by Carlos Giménez about?
The report by Congressman Carlos Giménez, titled "Cuban Repressors in the United States of America," calls for the investigation and potential deportation of former Cuban officials and others accused of repression, who are currently residing in the U.S.
What actions does the report suggest?
The report suggests that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security investigate and potentially deport individuals with repressive ties to the Cuban regime, as their presence contradicts U.S. democratic values.