Fernando, a 66-year-old Cuban man from Phoenix, Arizona, had been charged with possession of a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia. A judge dismissed the charges on June 6, 2025. As he exited the courthouse, ICE officers arrested him. His family was not informed of the arrest. His criminal defense attorney tried to find him in the immigration court detainee locator but no record appeared. Fernando, who requires thyroid medication previously covered by Medicare and Medicaid, was deported to Mexico through Nogales-Sonora. During the transfer, he witnessed an older Cuban man transported naked and tied up on the bus. He now must choose between paying rent and paying for medication.