US imposes restrictions on Venezuelans and Cubans; ICE makes record arrests in a single day

Since last Monday, June 30, 2025, the United States government has implemented new immigration restrictions that prevent the entry of Cuban and Venezuelan citizens , even if they have previously issued visas.

This measure, part of a stricter immigration policy, coincides with an unprecedented operation by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), which detained more than 2,200 people in a single day , setting a historic record.

The restriction applies to those with tourist visas (B1/B2), students (F, M) and exchange programs (J), as well as people with immigrant visas.

Authorities confirmed that entry is prohibited regardless of whether the visa was issued before the measure , which has caused confusion and discomfort among thousands of travelers.

Only legal permanent residents (green card holders) , dual nationals with a passport from another country, or those who received a visa after the measure came into effect are exempt from this ban, as long as they are not expressly barred.

Although originally announced as a 90-day suspension, the Trump administration has not ruled out extending or tightening it as of press time.

On Tuesday, July 1, ICE conducted a massive nationwide operation, resulting in the arrest of at least 2,278 people , many of whom were arrested during court appearances or while visiting immigration offices.

Among the reported cases is that of a Venezuelan mother detained in San Antonio, Texas, while accompanied by her 3-year-old son.

According to reports from outlets such as The Guardian and The Daily Beast , immigration agents have been under internal pressure to meet daily arrest quotas that could exceed 3,000 arrests per day, or face dismissal.

The magnitude of the operations caused alarm in various communities, particularly among Latin American migrants living in an irregular situation.

Immigration measures have sparked protests in cities like Los Angeles, New York, Houston, and Chicago. In some cases, local authorities canceled Independence Day celebrations for fear of unrest.

Human rights groups have described the federal government's actions as "cruel and disproportionate" and warned that current policies could lead to a humanitarian crisis if detention and deportation procedures are not regulated.