Ramón Acosta-Díaz, a Cuban national convicted of intentional homicide in South Bay, Florida, was apprehended by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) over Columbus Day weekend. He is featured on the Department of Homeland Security's official list released this Tuesday as part of the "Worst of the Worst" campaign.
Acosta-Díaz is the sole Cuban highlighted in the release, which names 20 undocumented immigrants with serious criminal records detained during the holiday weekend in various parts of the country.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, endorsed the statement, commenting: "While Americans were enjoying Columbus Day weekend, the courageous patriots of ICE were on the front lines, apprehending the worst of the worst in our communities, including murderers, pedophiles, rapists, drug traffickers, drunk drivers, and other threats to public safety."
ICE's Ongoing Operations Against Criminal Immigrants
This case is part of a series of ICE operations targeting immigrants with criminal backgrounds. Stay updated on arrests, deportations, and immigration policies in our U.S. Immigration section.
Mullin also emphasized that despite certain "sanctuary city" politicians refusing to comply with immigration detainer orders, "ICE will never cease pursuing, arresting, and removing these criminals from American streets."
The 20 individuals apprehended in the operation hail from Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic, with convictions ranging from murder and vehicular manslaughter to child sexual abuse, heroin distribution, and DUI offenses.
Details on Acosta-Díaz's Crime Remain Scarce
The announcement does not provide further information about the specifics of Acosta-Díaz’s crime, the date of his conviction, the sentence given, or the detention facility to which he has been taken.
This is not the first instance in recent weeks where a Cuban has appeared in this Department of Homeland Security campaign.
On October 10, Ángel Ramírez-Castillo was named in a similar release for convictions of attempted murder and aggravated assault in Miami. In late September, Rubén Ayala-Laies, convicted of second-degree murder in Florida, was also featured under the same label.
In September, ICE apprehended another Cuban with convictions for soliciting murder and cocaine possession in St. Petersburg, Florida.
Campaign Evolution and Recent Statistics
The "Worst of the Worst" campaign has been operating since late 2025, with announcements issued nearly weekly, particularly focused on holiday weekends.
ICE’s Miami office, overseeing Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, recorded over 41,000 arrests between January 2025 and April 2026.
The Tuesday release also refers to data disclosed by the DHS on Monday, noting that New York State declined more than 16,000 ICE detainer requests amid the political debate surrounding sanctuary cities.
Understanding ICE's "Worst of the Worst" Campaign
What is the "Worst of the Worst" campaign?
The "Worst of the Worst" campaign is an initiative by ICE aimed at apprehending undocumented immigrants with serious criminal convictions, highlighting the most dangerous individuals in the country.
Who endorses the ICE operations under this campaign?
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, endorses the operations under the "Worst of the Worst" campaign, emphasizing the importance of removing dangerous criminals from U.S. communities.