Miami Cubans & Deportations: Concerns Rise – NPR
- In Florida, the rising number of deportations is sparking worries among some Cuban-Americans, a group known for its support of President Trump.
- At a "ventanita" in Miami's Westchester neighborhood, patrons recently discussed these issues over coffee.
- "I was on board with deporting any criminal, not so much people who come to work hard—roofers and construction guys.
Cuban-Americans in Florida are voicing growing concerns over the current immigration policies, especially the rising number of deportations, which is creating unease within the community. This news article dives into the shift in sentiment, exploring how these actions are impacting a key demographic, known for its strong support of primarykeyword President Trump. Key voices from Miami-Dade County,including second-generation Cuban-Americans and elected officials,are openly expressing discomfort wiht the current handling of secondarykeyword deportations,especially those to authoritarian regimes. Discover how these policy shifts are reshaping political landscapes and what potential changes could be on the horizon. For more insights, read the full story on News Directory 3. discover what’s next in the evolving immigration debate.
cuban-Americans Voice Immigration Concerns in Florida
Updated June 11, 2025
In Florida, the rising number of deportations is sparking worries among some Cuban-Americans, a group known for its support of President Trump. While over two-thirds of Miami-Dade County’s Cuban-Americans backed Trump before the last election, recent immigration actions are drawing criticism from them and other Hispanics.
“Ventanitas” in Miami are popular spots for Cuban coffee and conversation.
EVA MARIE UZCATEGUI/AFP via Getty Images/AFP
At a “ventanita” in Miami’s Westchester neighborhood, patrons recently discussed these issues over coffee. Roger Schaefer, a second-generation Cuban-american and staunch Trump supporter, expressed discomfort with the management’s crackdown on undocumented immigrants.
“I was on board with deporting any criminal, not so much people who come to work hard—roofers and construction guys. I’m not for deporting people without criminal records,” schaefer said.
Across Florida and the U.S., Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is detaining and deporting individuals, even those without criminal records, sometimes arresting them during routine check-ins.
These stories are widely covered in both Spanish and English media, generating significant discussion in Miami-Dade County, where Hispanics make up nearly 70% of the population, and over half are foreign-born.
Jorge Pitta, whose parents hail from Honduras and Uruguay, said he’s closely following the immigration debate.
“It’s rough because I’m Hispanic myself and I see my people being treated like this,” Pitta said. “I’m in agreement with having to deport massively because a lot of illegals did come through.I just don’t like the way it’s being done.”
Pitta criticized protests in Los Angeles, believing they favor undocumented immigrants over law enforcement. Though, he also expressed dissatisfaction with the Trump administration’s approach to immigration.
“I voted for the guy as I like him,” Pitta said. “I do think Trump also has his mistakes that he needs to address. Foreign policy is one. The way he’s handled this immigration is not good.”
Abel delgado, who leads Miami-Dade County’s Democratic Hispanic Caucus, said the Trump administration’s deportations to countries with authoritarian regimes have shocked South Florida.
“We didn’t deport people to Cuba on a regular basis before,” Delgado said.”That has changed. We didn’t think it was wise to send people back to Venezuela. Based on all the changes that President Trump is making, he must think that things are perfectly fine in Cuba and Venezuela.”
while concerns about deportations and policies like travel bans on haiti, Cuba, and Venezuela might potentially be affecting Trump’s support among Florida Hispanics, some doubt it will last.
Ninoska Perez, a prominent Cuban-American talk show host in Miami, said many callers to her show believe the immigration crackdown is overdue.
“I think President Trump has a mandate that was given to him is this election saying that he has to protect the borders. And this is one way to do it,” she said.
recently, some Cuban-American elected officials have voiced concerns. Florida state Sen. Ileana Garcia criticized the Trump administration on social media,singling out Stephen Miller,the architect of Trump’s immigration policy,calling the deportations “unacceptable and inhumane.”
U.S. Rep. Maria Elvira salazar, also from Miami, has expressed similar concerns, saying deportations of Cubans, Venezuelans, and Nicaraguans have left her “heartbroken.” She and other cuban-American members of Congress plan to meet with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to discuss these concerns.
What’s next
The upcoming meeting between Cuban-American members of Congress and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem could signal potential shifts in the administration’s approach to deportations, especially concerning individuals being sent back to Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.