ICE Arrests Cuban Green Card Holder in Removal Proceedings
If you hold a green card and are concerned about your immigration status, consult a licensed immigration lawyer as soon as possible — especially if you have family members connected to foreign governments or organizations. If ICE contacts you or someone you know, lawyers recommend staying silent and asking for an attorney immediately. Missing any immigration court hearing can lead to automatic removal, so always appear on your scheduled date.
What Happened
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) arrested Adys Lastres Morera, a Cuban woman living in Miami with a green card (lawful permanent resident status), on May 22, 2026. Just two days earlier, on May 20, 2026, the U.S. Department of State revoked her green card and determined she could be removed from the country. She is now in ICE custody and faces removal proceedings — the formal legal process to deport someone from the United States.
The government says her presence in the U.S. harms American foreign policy. Authorities say her sister, Ania Guillermina Lastres Morera, runs GAESA, a Cuban military-controlled organization that the U.S. government describes as controlling a large share of Cuba's economy and holding illicit assets overseas. The State Department used Section 237(a)(4)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act — a law that allows the government to remove a green card holder whose presence is seen as damaging to U.S. foreign policy — to justify revoking her status.
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Lastres Morera entered the United States as a lawful permanent resident on January 13, 2023. According to the U.S. government, there is no record that she applied for U.S. citizenship (called naturalization) or a U.S. passport. She will stay in ICE detention while her removal case moves through immigration court.
Why This Matters for Green Card Holders
This case is a reminder that holding a green card does not guarantee permanent protection from deportation. Green card holders can be placed in removal proceedings under certain conditions, including foreign policy grounds. Once someone is in removal proceedings, an immigration judge decides whether they can stay in the U.S. or must leave. The person in proceedings has the right to appear before an immigration judge and, in most cases, the right to hire a lawyer.
What to Do
- If you have a green card and are worried about your status: Lawyers recommend reviewing your situation with a licensed immigration attorney, especially if you or a close family member has ties to a foreign government or organization flagged by the U.S. government.
- If you or someone you know is arrested by ICE: You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak with a lawyer. Do not sign any documents before consulting an attorney.
- If you are eligible for naturalization: Applying for U.S. citizenship (using Form N-400, the application for naturalization) may provide stronger protections than a green card alone. Talk to an immigration lawyer about whether you qualify.
- If you receive a notice to appear in immigration court: Do not miss your hearing. Missing a court date can result in an automatic removal order against you.