Cuban man ordered to self-deport by August 2026 faces uncertainty over passport and acceptance
May 7, 2026·Location: South Florida, FL
Country of origin: Cuba

Maikel Rojas, a 45-year-old Cuban, was released from Alligator Alcatraz detention center in March 2026 after nearly five months in custody and subsequently issued a removal order requiring self-deportation by August 4, 2026. The order requires him to obtain a Cuban passport and purchase a one-way airline ticket while wearing an electronic ankle monitor. Rojas, who arrived from Cuba in 2004 and was convicted as an accomplice to a crime in 2005 with a 13-year sentence, faces uncertainty about whether Cuba will accept his deportation and fears re-arrest by immigration authorities.
Sources
- South Florida man from Cuba being pressured to self-deport after release from
- CBS News
- South Florida man released from ICE custody describes conditions inside
- "I must leave before August 4": Cuban released from "Alligator Alcatraz" receives order to self-deport
en.cibercuba.com·May 14, 2026·archived copy
More incidents in Florida
- Cuban man detained in Florida, deported to Central African Republic, held in BanguiOct 6, 2026 · West Palm Beach, FL
- Man dons ICE costume, intimidates Brazilian election voters in MiamiOct 4, 2026 · Miami, FL
- Cuban man detained by ICE for two months, mother pleads for his releaseOct 3, 2026 · Hialeah, FL
- Detainees sue over conditions at Miramar ICE facility in FloridaOct 2, 2026 · Miramar, FL
- US citizen punched by ICE agent during Naples Manor van stop, protest plannedOct 2, 2026 · Naples Manor, FL
- Three Guatemalan taqueria workers detained in Tallahassee ICE raid, restaurant shuts downOct 2, 2026 · Tallahassee, FL