Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez, a 62-year-old former Cuban judge, was taken into custody by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at Miami International Airport. She had concealed her active involvement with the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) and her role within the judicial system of the Cuban regime. Her detention took place on March 20, upon her arrival with an immigrant visa sponsored by her U.S. citizen son, as reported by journalist Mario J Pentón.
According to a CBP statement, Acanda Rodríguez provided false information during the visa process, failing to disclose crucial details about her professional past and ideological affiliations. The agency, which has intensified its scrutiny of Cuban regime officials, confirmed that she admitted to making false statements to benefit from the U.S. immigration process.
"She had direct ties with the Cuban government and identified as a PCC member," stated an insider with knowledge of the case, speaking anonymously due to the ongoing investigation. The former judge now faces charges of fraud, misrepresentation, and submitting false documents under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, along with inadmissibility under section 212(a) of the immigration law. Authorities have confirmed that she is undergoing deportation proceedings and possible federal prosecution.
Acanda Rodríguez's case, who served in Cuba's judicial system for over 30 years, is part of a growing list of ex-officials and regime enforcers entering the U.S. through visa, reunification, or humanitarian programs. Notable among them are Eduardo Enríquez Blanco, a former agent of the Ministry of the Interior (MININT) linked to the state intelligence tech firm DATYS, now residing in Miami. Also, Rosabel Roca Sampedro, a former prosecutor in Camagüey, currently in Houston, Texas; Liván Fuentes Álvarez, former president of the Municipal Assembly of People's Power in the Isle of Youth, who was denied entry; and Manuel Menéndez Castellanos, former PCC first secretary in Cienfuegos and collaborator of Fidel Castro, who arrived in Miami in August 2024, as Pentón highlighted.
These incidents have sparked strong backlash from the Cuban-American community and calls from South Florida congressmen to tighten immigration controls to prevent regime enforcers from finding refuge in the United States. The State Department recently reiterated that receiving a visa does not guarantee permanent entry into the country, and the evaluation process continues even after the beneficiary's arrival.
Acanda Rodríguez was frequently recognized and cited in national media as a leading figure in the Matanzas province's judiciary, earning several accolades for her over three-decade career serving the regime. Last year, the case of Villa Clara judge Melody González Pedraza, involved in prosecuting several dissidents, made headlines as she faces an asylum case after arriving with humanitarian parole, only to be denied entry by Tampa authorities.
Key Questions About Cuban Regime Officials in the U.S.
What charges is Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez facing?
She is facing charges of fraud, misrepresentation, and submitting false documents under Title 18 of the U.S. Code, along with inadmissibility under section 212(a) of the immigration law.
Why was Juana Orquídea Acanda Rodríguez detained at Miami International Airport?
She was detained for concealing her active involvement with the Communist Party of Cuba and her role within the Cuban regime's judicial system during her visa application process.
How has the Cuban-American community reacted to these incidents?
There has been strong backlash from the Cuban-American community and calls from South Florida congressmen to tighten immigration controls to prevent regime enforcers from finding refuge in the United States.