MIAMI, Mar 16, CMC – A Cuban national who allegedly gained legal permanent resident status in the United States through fraudulent means has been arrested by the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in collaboration with the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).
ICE said on Friday that Tomas Emilio Hernandez Cruz, 71, from West Park, Miami, Florida, was arrested at his residence after an investigation into fraudulent claims he made on his immigration application.
In September 2023, ICE said its Homeland Security Investigations Document and Benefit Fraud Task Force, alongside FBI Miami Division, initiated an investigation regarding “inconsistencies in Hernandez Cruz’s immigration application that warranted further investigation”.
During the investigation, ICE said it was determined that Hernandez Cruz was a member of Cuban intelligence at various high-level posts overseas.
“Hernandez Cruz knowingly and willfully withheld his true position and profession within the Cuban Communist Party to deliberately deceive US authorities when he applied for and obtained his LPR [legal permanent residence] status,” ICE said.
It said Hernandez Cruz was arrested and processed and remains in custody pending removal proceedings.
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