The Trump administration has substantially increased deportations of Cuban nationals during the president's second term, surpassing the total number deported throughout his entire first term in office.

Among those affected is May Díaz, a 36-year-old from Camaguey who participated in the July 11, 2021 nationwide protests against Cuba's Communist government. Díaz was reportedly beaten by police during the demonstrations, which were suppressed by Cuban authorities. Three months after the protests, she fled Cuba and arrived in Cancún, Mexico.

The increased deportations mark a shift from previous U.S. immigration policies that historically provided more favorable treatment for Cuban immigrants seeking asylum from the Communist regime.

Meanwhile, communities across the United States continue to feel the effects of expanded immigration enforcement operations. In Los Angeles, residents are still dealing with the aftermath of large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids conducted last summer that resulted in thousands of arrests.

The East Los Angeles neighborhood where Brian Gavidia has lived his entire life has gradually returned to normal operations, with local businesses and street vendors resuming their activities. However, the community remains affected by the enforcement actions that occurred a year ago.

The raids in Los Angeles led to mass protests and some deaths, leaving lasting impacts on immigrant communities throughout the city as federal immigration enforcement continues under current policies.