That's long been the case. Cuba won't take back all the criminals, mentally ill, and other assorted scum they dumped on the US.
U.S.-Cuba migration accords (dating to 1984, updated in 1994–1995 and 2017) require Cuba to repatriate its nationals in many cases, and the U.S. to limit irregular migration. Under the 2017 deal (finalized under Obama), Cuba agreed to accept recent arrivals and others on a case-by-case basis.
Since 2023, cooperation has increased. Deportation flights resumed, typically 1 per month (sometimes more), carrying 60–160 people each.
In 2025 alone, nearly 1,000 Cuban national have been deported to their homeland so far.
Cuba still selectively refuses those with serious criminal records
in Cuba or deemed "undesirable" because they oppose socialist rule.
When Cuba refuses, the U.S. sometimes deports to third countries (e.g., Mexico).
But under current accords and 2025 practices, it generally accepts routine deportation flights. Refusal is the exception, not the rule.