Julio Fonts Portal/Cuba/Assault, Forgery

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested Julio Fonts Portal in Edinburg, Texas. The Cuba national — here illegally — faces charges of assault, forgery.

Assault charges involving illegal aliens draw attention from both local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities, initiating two separate legal processes on independent timelines. State prosecutors handle the criminal charge while federal immigration authorities pursue removal separately. Portal now faces criminal penalties under state law and, independently, a federal immigration matter that will determine whether deportation to Cuba is ordered.

Federal authorities have placed Portal in immigration detention pending the outcome of removal proceedings. A Department of Justice immigration court will determine whether Portal is deported to Cuba.