Secretary of State Marco Rubio Orders ICE Arrest of Adys Lastres Morera, Sister of Sanctioned Cuban Regime Official
New York City, New York — Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced last week that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has arrested Adys Lastres Morera in Florida. She is the sister of Ania Guillermina Lastres, a high-ranking official in Cuba’s communist regime.
Lastres Morera was taken into ICE custody and will remain detained pending deportation proceedings. Rubio personally revoked her lawful permanent resident status, determining that her presence in the United States posed a threat to American foreign policy interests.
She entered the country as a lawful permanent resident on January 13, 2023, during the Biden administration.
Policy Framework and Statement
Rubio, who is of Cuban descent, stated that family members of repressive regimes and other adversaries will no longer receive a free pass to live in the United States.
“For far too long, the family members of terrorist organizations, repressive anti-American regimes, and other bad actors who would threaten the national security of the United States have been given a free pass to enjoy the privileges of living in the United States,” he said in a statement.
“Past Administrations have permitted the families of Cuban military elites, Iranian terrorists, and other reprehensible organizations to enjoy lavish lifestyles in our country funded by stolen blood-money, while the people they repress at home suffer in increasingly dire circumstances.”
“No longer. Under President Trump, we are removing from our country the family members of IRGC terrorists and Cuban regime elites.”
“Let me be very clear: if you threaten the national security of the United States, there will be nowhere on this earth — much less in our country — that you and your cronies can live lavishly.”
“We will find you, and we will hold you accountable.”
Real Estate Assets and Regime Connection
On X, Rubio added that Lastres Morera had been managing real estate assets in Florida while aiding Cuba’s regime.
“Adys Lastres Morera is the sister of the Executive President of GAESA, the Cuban military-controlled financial conglomerate that steals millions in aid for the Cuban people at the behest of the regime.”
“Morera was managing real estate assets and living in Florida, while also aiding Havana’s communist regime, until I terminated her permanent resident status.”
“I am pleased to announce that today, she was arrested and is now in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
“There will be nowhere on this Earth – much less in our country – where foreign nationals who threaten our national security can live lavishly.”
ICE Homeland Security Investigations confirmed that her presence posed potential serious adverse foreign policy consequences.
“Adys Lastres Morera’s presence in the United States has potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for our nation, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio has determined that she is removable under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act,” said HSI acting Executive Associate Director John Condon.
“Allowing Lastres Morera to remain in the country would send a signal that Cuban regime-affiliated networks could continue to access the U.S.’s financial, educational and social institutions — but that is not the case.”
“HSI will continue to investigate those with ties to our nation’s adversaries and take appropriate actions to neutralize threats against our homeland.”
GAESA and Economic Impact
Ania Guillermina Lastres serves as president of Grupo de Administración Empresarial (GAESA), the military-controlled conglomerate that dominates approximately 70 percent of Cuba’s economy. The entity is accused of controlling tourism, remittances, and the Cuban doctor program, while holding up to $20 billion in illicit overseas funds.
The arrest reflects the Trump administration’s broader policy of tightening immigration enforcement against individuals linked to adversarial foreign governments.
