Enforcement Operations in New Orleans Remove Cuban National Following Sexual Assault Classification
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in New Orleans have executed the removal of Raul Duquenzne-Batista, a Cuban national identified by the agency as an “illegal alien” with a criminal record involving rape. The operation follows federal protocols for prioritizing the deportation of non-citizens deemed a threat to public safety due to violent criminal history. ERO New Orleans publicized the removal under the classification “RAPIST REMOVED,” signaling a continued focus on identifying and repatriating individuals convicted of serious sex offenses.
This removal occurs against the backdrop of resumed diplomatic cooperation between the United States and Cuba regarding immigration enforcement. After a pause in regular deportation flights that lasted from late 2020 until early 2023, the U.S. government restarted air repatriations following bilateral talks. These operations are part of a broader Department of Homeland Security effort to enforce removal orders for Cuban nationals who have exhausted their legal claims to remain in the U.S., particularly those with criminal backgrounds.
While ICE maintains that removing individuals with violent criminal records is essential for community safety, the resumption of deportations to Cuba has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and immigration advocates. Opponents argue that the current political and economic crisis in Cuba creates dangerous conditions for returnees. Advocacy groups frequently raise objections that the U.S. should not repatriate individuals to nations where they may face potential mistreatment, political persecution, or severe deprivation, regardless of their criminal history in the United States.
Federal authorities continue to assert that valid removal orders must be executed to maintain the integrity of the immigration system. The removal of Duquenzne-Batista highlights the ongoing operational capacity of ICE to secure travel documents and coordinate logistics with Cuban authorities, a process that historically presented significant diplomatic challenges. ERO officers emphasize that their operations target specific threats to national security and public safety, utilizing reinstated removal pathways to process complex cases involving foreign nationals from countries with previously restricted diplomatic channels.
