ICE Deports 170 Cuban Nationals with Criminal Convictions

Deportees included individuals convicted of murder, kidnapping, rape, and drug trafficking

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has deported 170 Cuban nationals, including individuals convicted of violent crimes such as murder, kidnapping, rape, and drug trafficking. The deportees were taken into custody from states across the United States and were sent back to Cuba on a flight on February 9, 2026.

Why it matters

This deportation operation highlights the ongoing efforts by the U.S. government to remove criminal illegal immigrants from the country. The Biden administration has restarted deportation flights to Cuba after a two-year pause during the COVID-19 pandemic, signaling a continued focus on public safety and immigration enforcement.

The details

Among the deportees were individuals convicted of crimes such as aiding and abetting improper entry by an illegal alien, second-degree murder, aggravated assault, kidnapping, battery, rape, and drug trafficking. Some of the deportees were members of criminal gangs like Los Habaneros. The deportations were carried out by ICE and involved coordination with law enforcement across multiple states.

  • The deportation flight to Cuba took place on February 9, 2026.
  • Deportation flights to Cuba were paused for two years during the COVID-19 pandemic, but were restarted by the Biden administration in April 2023.

The players

Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws in the United States.

Yondeivis Wong Den-Hernandez

A Cuban national convicted of aiding and abetting improper entry by an illegal alien in Texas, as well as second-degree murder in Florida.

Raul Duquenzne-Batista

A Cuban national convicted of several violent crimes in Kansas, including aggravated assault, kidnapping, battery, rape, and criminal use of weapons. He was also a member of the Los Habaneros gang and had previously served 20 years in a Cuban prison for robbery and breaking and entering.

Alexander Padron-Marten

A Cuban national arrested at large in Philadelphia and convicted of trafficking a controlled substance.

Gaully Quintana Martinez

A Cuban national taken into custody by federal officers from New Orleans after serving a sentence in a correctional facility in Louisiana for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.

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What they’re saying

“Immigration detainers make everyone safer,”

— ICE (X)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This deportation operation highlights the ongoing efforts by the U.S. government to remove criminal illegal immigrants from the country, with a focus on public safety and immigration enforcement.