The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified a Cuban national as one of the five most serious cases of undocumented immigrants detained in Iowa, according to an official statement released on Wednesday.
Sydney Pino-Becquer was apprehended by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on October 1st in the Midwestern state.
DHS reports that Pino-Becquer's criminal background includes convictions for endangering a minor with assault causing serious injury — without intent — and endangering a minor through torture or cruelty, along with an arrest for physical assault.
The Cuban entered the United States illegally via Arizona in October 2021 and was initially detained by the Border Patrol at that time.
The DHS notes that following this initial detention, the Biden administration released him within the U.S., leading to his arrest years later in Iowa with those criminal records.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, stated, "In the great state of Iowa, ICE's courageous patriots have arrested pedophiles, child abusers, violent offenders, and drunk drivers," further emphasizing that undocumented immigrants "have no right to be in the United States."
Mullin recently asserted, "Under President Trump, there will be no sanctuary for illegal aliens. If you're in this country illegally, we will find you, arrest you, and remove you from our nation."
Alongside Pino-Becquer, the statement highlights four other cases: Amilcar Perz-Morfin, a Mexican national convicted of sexual exploitation of a minor; Axel Sanchez Torres, also Mexican, with convictions for domestic violence, serious controlled substance violations, and DUI; Cristian Sneider Garcia-Salas, a Colombian with assault and public intoxication convictions; and Jefri Cap Villagran, a Guatemalan with multiple convictions and arrests who had been deported in September 2012.
Pino-Becquer’s arrest is part of a large-scale immigration crackdown in Iowa, where ICE detained at least 1,779 individuals during the first year of Trump's second term, marking a 272% increase compared to the same period in 2024, according to the Deportation Data Project.
In March 2025, the state signed a collaboration agreement with ICE, allowing state agents to participate in joint immigration operations, intensifying detentions in the area.
Pino-Becquer's case adds to a long list of Cubans featured in the "Worst of the Worst" campaign throughout 2026. Notables include Ramón Acosta-Díaz, convicted of murder in Florida, and Ángel Ramírez-Castillo, with attempted murder convictions in Miami, both mentioned in DHS statements earlier in October.
Nationally, the apprehensions of Cubans by ICE soared by 463% between October 2024 and January 2026, according to an analysis by the Cato Institute, reflecting the ongoing tightening of immigration policy under the Trump administration.
Launched in December 2025, the "Worst of the Worst" campaign surpassed 40,000 profiles by the end of September 2026, after adding 5,000 new cases that month.
This case forms part of an ever-evolving immigration landscape. Stay updated on the latest news regarding arrests, deportations, and ICE policies in our U.S. Immigration section.
Key Details About Immigration Arrests in Iowa
Who is Sydney Pino-Becquer?
Sydney Pino-Becquer is a Cuban national arrested by ICE in Iowa for serious criminal charges, including endangering a minor and physical assault.
What is the "Worst of the Worst" campaign?
The "Worst of the Worst" campaign, launched in December 2025, targets undocumented immigrants with serious criminal backgrounds. It registered over 40,000 profiles by September 2026.
How have immigration policies changed under the Trump administration?
Under the Trump administration, there has been a significant tightening of immigration policies, leading to increased arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants.