Trans Cuban migrant deported to Central African Republic after ICE detention

Daniela Fuentes grew up near Havana, transitioned to female in adolescence, and later disguised herself as a man to navigate the Central American migrant route. After arriving in Miami and building a life as a drag performer, she was arrested for a missed court appearance in Texas, leading ICE to issue an expedited deportation order. On August 31, 2026 she was flown for 22 hours to Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic, where she was housed by the International Organization for Migration.

The country’s laws criminalise consensual same-sex activity and lack legal gender recognition, leaving Daniela vulnerable. Bridget Crawford of Immigration Equality highlighted a pattern of LGBTQ+ people being sent to hostile third countries, raising concerns about intentional selection. Daniela hopes to obtain a safe-conduct document from the Cuban embassy and eventually return to Cuba, but remains in a precarious situation abroad.