Yoan Laguna Moreno/Cuba/Assault

Yoan Laguna Moreno, a Cuba national found to be in the country illegally, was arrested in Conroe, Texas, on charges of assault.

An assault arrest involving an illegal alien typically triggers two separate legal processes. The state criminal case is handled by local prosecutors and could result in jail time and penalties. Separately, federal immigration enforcement has initiated a removal proceeding in immigration court moving forward on its own schedule, independent of the criminal case.

Moreno remains in ICE custody pending a hearing before a federal immigration judge. No trial date on the criminal charges has been announced publicly. If the immigration court orders removal, Moreno would be returned to Cuba.