Cuban Man Shares Experience of Deportation to Mexico After 55 Years in the U.S.: "Avoid Legal Troubles"

Miguel Ángel Rosales, who moved to the United States in 1971 as a permanent resident, spent his life in America without ever expecting to find himself stranded in Tapachula, Mexico, decades later. His story was shared in a couple of interviews on Instagram by Raúl Hernández, another deported Cuban who manages the account "Cubano Deportado," documenting the testimonies of fellow deportees.

Rosales initially left Cuba legally with his family, securing permanent residency upon arrival in the U.S. He returned to Cuba only once, in 1980, to help family members escape the oppressive regime. Years later, he encountered legal issues in the United States, served his sentence, and in 2021 received a pardon from his state's governor, who reviewed his situation and granted him executive clemency. Following this, he consistently worked, paid taxes, and complied with ICE’s immigration supervision.

Despite this, on February 27, 2026, immigration officers detained him without any new charges. "I had my job, I was paying my taxes. Since my release, everything has been within legal bounds," Rosales stated.

Deportation Realities for Long-Time Cuban Residents in the U.S.

The predicament of Miguel Ángel Rosales highlights a broader issue impacting thousands of long-term Cuban residents in the U.S. For further insights into deportations, permanent residency, and immigration policies, visit our Immigration section.

Rosales ended up in Mexico instead of Cuba due to a widespread issue affecting many deported Cubans: the Cuban government refuses to accept individuals who left before 2017 or have criminal records. Consequently, under an unwritten agreement between the two governments, these individuals are sent to Mexico, a practice currently under scrutiny by the U.S. Supreme Court since it temporarily allowed these deportations to continue in September 2026.

Rosales endured a three-day bus journey from the border to Tapachula, Chiapas, without his documents, phone, or any belongings being returned. "They didn't give me back my belongings or my phone, nothing," he recounted.

Challenges Facing Cubans in Tapachula

In Tapachula, Rosales spent four months navigating his immigration situation. Due to his age, Mexican authorities granted him a humanitarian visa instead of residency. However, the wait was arduous, as he described the city as a place where Cubans live "almost like hostages."

"Tapachula is extremely tough for Cubans. It's like being held captive because without legal papers, you can't leave," he explained. "If you don't have money, you'll end up sleeping in the parks. I've seen many Cubans sleeping there."

His experience is not unique. A Human Rights Watch report from May 2026 noted that between January 2025 and March 2026, the U.S. deported 4,353 Cubans to Mexico, making them the largest national group sent there. Among them, 55% had prior criminal convictions, while 26% had no criminal records. Activists estimate that approximately 800 Cubans remain stranded in Tapachula and nearly 3,000 in Villahermosa, Tabasco.

Other Cubans have faced similar fates. Julio Borrell, 72, who lived in Miami for 46 years, was deported to Tapachula following a routine ICE appointment. Many recount being treated with little regard during the deportation process.

Raúl Hernández, who conducted the interviews, is himself a deported Cuban who arrived in Mexico in August 2025 after being detained for months in Miami. Through his Instagram account, he systematically documents these stories, becoming a key source on the crisis faced by his fellow Cubans.

Rosales offered a straightforward message: "My advice is to pursue education. Studying is crucial. Educate yourselves to secure a good job and stay out of legal trouble, because otherwise, there’s nothing more you can do."