ICE Detained Eight Nicaraguan Exiles
Authorities have taken eight Nicaraguan exiles into custody, including several political prisoners previously expelled to the U.S.
Updated on Oct. 3, 2026 in Immigration
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U.S. immigration authorities have detained eight Nicaraguan exiles who were previously stripped of their nationality by their home government. Several of these individuals were part of a group of 222 political prisoners expelled to the U.S. in February 2023.
Why it matters
The detention of these exiles highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Nicaraguan political refugees who were stripped of their citizenship. At least four of those currently in custody had pending asylum claims in the United States.
Official reports indicate that 6,300 Nicaraguans were deported between January and July 2026, compared to 3,323 during the same period in 2025. Between February 2023 and September 2024, the Ortega-Murillo government stripped 452 individuals of their nationality.
The players
Luis Galeano
He is a journalist and one of the Nicaraguan exiles who was recently released on bond after being detained at the Krome detention center.
Marvin Castellón Ubilla
He is a Nicaraguan exile who was released from ICE custody in July 2026.
Ortega-Murillo government
This is the current administration of Nicaragua that has been responsible for stripping hundreds of its citizens of their nationality.
Human Rights Watch
This international non-governmental organization conducts research and advocacy on human rights issues including the treatment of political exiles.
The details
The detainees were processed after being arrested during court appointments or asylum interviews. Conditions at the Krome detention center in Miami, where some were held, faced scrutiny following an unannounced May 2025 inspection that cited violations of medical and use-of-force standards.
Timeline
February 9, 2023: 222 Nicaraguan political prisoners were expelled to the U.S.
January-July 2025: The U.S. deported 3,323 Nicaraguans.
January-July 2026: U.S. deportations of Nicaraguans reached 6,300.
September 2026: Human Rights Watch interviewed legal representatives of the detainees.
October 27, 2026: Journalist Luis Galeano has an immigration court hearing scheduled.
Political Context
Opponents of the current enforcement actions argue that detaining political exiles undermines the humanitarian protections typically afforded to those fleeing the Ortega-Murillo government. Advocacy groups contend that these detentions create unnecessary barriers for individuals already stripped of their nationality by their home state.
These detentions affect the lives of Nicaraguan exiles who rely on the U.S. court system to process their pending asylum claims. For the broader public, the shift in deportation numbers reflects changing regulatory enforcement practices that can alter immigration court timelines and legal requirements.
The takeaway
Nicaraguan exiles must maintain meticulous documentation regarding their status to prepare for evolving federal enforcement actions. Legal representatives advise those with pending asylum claims to stay in close communication with their counsel regarding court hearing notifications.
What happens next
Luis Galeano is scheduled to appear for an immigration court hearing on October 27, 2026.
Further reading
Find more analysis on how policies affect migrant status at the Immigration section.
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