Florida judge orders release of businessman Rafael Zaga Tawil

A Florida immigration judge has ordered the release on bond of businessman Rafael Zaga Tawil, who had been detained in a Miami migrant processing center since April 11. Judge Stuart Siegel authorized the release following a review of whether the Department of Homeland Security provided sufficient evidence to maintain Zaga's administrative arrest.

Zaga is accused in Mexico of organized crime and money laundering related to a suspected 5.08 billion peso fraud against Infonavit. The allegations stem from a 2017 payment made to Telra Realty as compensation for the cancellation of the Cambiavit program, a transaction Mexican authorities deem irregular.

Zaga applied for asylum in the United States on August 29, 2024, claiming political persecution by the Mexican government. While a federal judge in Almoloya de Juárez ordered his arrest in Mexico, the United States has not yet initiated extradition proceedings. As part of his release, Zaga must surrender his passport and comply with all Department of Homeland Security instructions to ensure future court appearances.