CUBA · US IMMIGRATION
Key Facts
- —What is happening The Department of Homeland Security says Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has opened a national operation against undocumented immigrants accused of fraudulently collecting SNAP food stamps, announced on Tuesday, 20 October.
- —Why it matters DHS named five people arrested, including one Cuban woman, and called the arrests the “opening salvo” of a sustained, large-scale operation, so more detentions of Cubans and Haitians are possible.
- —The numbers DHS named five arrests: one Cuban and four Haitian nationals. SNAP served about 39.2 million people in fiscal year 2022, and average household benefits were about US$297 a month.
- —Who is who ICE is the federal immigration enforcement agency inside DHS, led by Secretary Markwayne Mullin. SNAP is the federal food program that the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) runs with the states.
- —What to watch Whether more arrests are announced, whether fraud charges follow, and how the operation treats Cuban and Haitian “entrants”, a category that can qualify for SNAP.
- —Power Index Cuba ranks 14th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 22.5 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you Noncitizens in the United States, including Cubans, should check that their immigration category allows SNAP before applying or renewing, because DHS now says it will pursue accused fraud.
DHS says ICE has begun a national sweep of migrants accused of SNAP fraud, with a Cuban woman among the first arrests. No court has tested the accusations.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says ICE, its immigration agency, has launched a national sweep of migrants accused of SNAP fraud. A Cuban woman is among five people DHS named as arrested.
The operation was first reported on Tuesday, 20 October, and Periódico Cubano followed on Wednesday, 21 October. It matters to Cubans in the United States because Cuban and Haitian “entrants” can qualify for SNAP, while undocumented migrants cannot.
What DHS Announced About the SNAP Sweep
Fox News published the operation as an exclusive on Tuesday, 20 October, in a version carried by WFMD. DHS called the arrests “the opening salvo in a sustained, large-scale ICE operation” aimed at people who allegedly drew SNAP benefits unlawfully.
Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said, “These programs are for Americans only.” He called those already apprehended and deported “just a drop in the bucket” and said the administration will keep pursuing accused fraudsters.
DHS said every person named entered the country unlawfully and then drew on a program for struggling American families. That is a government allegation, and no court finding on SNAP fraud has been reported.
Who Was Arrested
DHS named five people: four Haitian nationals and one Cuban woman, all described as living in the United States illegally. The agency did not say in the reports seen where the arrests took place.
For the Cuban woman, DHS cited a past disorderly conduct conviction and arrests on battery and domestic violence allegations. An arrest is not a conviction, and none of the five has had a public response reported.
Periódico Cubano also describes the woman as having no legal immigration status. This article does not print the names of those arrested, since no court has ruled on the accusations.
What SNAP Rules Say About Noncitizens
The USDA says on its public eligibility page that SNAP eligibility has never been extended to undocumented noncitizens. The program, formally the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, is funded federally and run with state agencies.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025 narrowed which lawfully present noncitizens can receive SNAP, according to USDA guidance. Straight Arrow News reported in April that about 1.1 million noncitizen households were at risk of losing benefits under the change.
USDA data for fiscal year 2022 show 39.2 million SNAP recipients, with about 3.8% refugees or other noncitizens. Average monthly benefits were US$297 per household, the same report shows, and about US$359.50 for noncitizen households.
Why Cubans and Haitians Are in the Spotlight
Periódico Cubano says USDA guidance keeps lawful permanent residents and Cuban/Haitian entrants among the eligible groups. It adds that refugees, asylees and parolees alone no longer qualify, and that entrants can skip the general five-year wait.
The outlet also warns that holding an I-220A release form does not by itself grant residency or SNAP eligibility. That form, issued when ICE releases a person into the country, must be read with the rest of the person’s file.
Rio Times coverage includes ICE arrests of Cubans, the Cuban I-220A lawsuit and Cuban green card approvals. Each shows how immigration status shapes what Cubans can claim.
What It Means for US Readers
Noncitizens in the United States should confirm that their immigration category allows SNAP before applying or renewing. DHS says it will pursue people who draw benefits they are not entitled to.
DHS frames the target as fraud against a federally funded program paid for by taxpayers. No response from immigrant advocates or state agencies was found for this operation.
Context on Havana’s politics is in the guide to who runs Cuba and the latest on Cuba’s UN fight. More on Cuba is on the Rio Times Cuba page.
What Is Not Known
The reports do not say where the five were arrested, how DHS identified them, or whether any faces a criminal fraud charge. Nor is it known how many others have been detained, since Mullin gave no total.
No statement from the five or their lawyers has been found, and USDA has not been quoted on the operation. The DHS press release itself could not be opened, so its wording comes from outlets that repeated it.
The eligibility details for Cuban/Haitian entrants come from Periódico Cubano’s reading of USDA guidance. The USDA memo could not be opened, so that reading is attributed and not independently confirmed.
What Comes Next
DHS says the operation is sustained, so further arrests and named cases are likely over the coming weeks. That does not mean every noncitizen on SNAP is a target, since many lawfully present noncitizens qualify.
Watch for DHS or USDA data-sharing statements and for charging documents from federal prosecutors. Those would show whether the accusations lead to fraud cases and how many people are affected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICE SNAP fraud operation?
DHS says ICE has launched a national operation against undocumented immigrants accused of fraudulently receiving SNAP food stamps. It announced the first arrests on Tuesday, 20 October.
How many people were arrested?
DHS named five people: four Haitian nationals and one Cuban woman. It has not given a total for the operation.
Can undocumented immigrants get SNAP?
No, according to the USDA, which says SNAP eligibility has never been extended to undocumented noncitizens. Some lawfully present noncitizens can qualify.
Can Cubans receive SNAP?
Periódico Cubano says USDA guidance keeps Cuban/Haitian entrants among eligible groups, without the general five-year wait. Eligibility still depends on income and other rules.
Are the accusations proven?
No, because the claims come from DHS and have not been tested in court. No ruling on SNAP fraud has been reported for the five people.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Administration, SNAP eligibility; USDA, alien SNAP eligibility under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act; DHS statement, 20 October, as carried by WFMD; RVM News, 20 October; Townhall, 21 October; Periódico Cubano, 21 October; Straight Arrow News, 2 April (all accessed 22 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief