Cuban Donor Behind Pro-immigrant Billboards in Miami Steps Into the Spotlight After Getting Threats: 'I Will Not Be Intimidated'

Michael B. Fernández, a Cuban-American billionaire and philanthropist, has revealed himself as the anonymous donor behind a series of billboard campaigns in Miami criticizing Republican lawmakers over their stance on immigration.

Fernández told El Pais he decided to step forward after receiving threats, including a package of raw ground beef labeled "We know you like dogs," and a verbal confrontation outside a business lunch. "At that moment, I decided: I will not be intimidated," Fernández told the outlet.

Since April, the billboards, signed by a nonprofit group called Keep Them Honest, have appeared across major South Florida highways. One of the most prominent ads criticizes lawmakers from Miami's Republican congressional delegation and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for supporting President Trump's hardline immigration policies with an overlayed caption that reads: "Deporting good immigrants back to dictatorships is cruel."

Another one aims directly at Rubio with a picture of the Secretary of State accompanied by a caption that reads: "Little Marco sold out all Venezuelans."

Fernández, 73, emigrated from Manzanillo, Cuba, at the age of 12, as the piece by El Pais points out. A self-made billionaire who previously donated to the Republican Party, he now says he identifies with neither major political party. "I'm not a Republican. I'm not a Democrat. I'm an American. An American with values," he said.

He estimates he may spend up to $30 million on this campaign and possibly future efforts to support new political candidates. "We have no candidates, so I am spending my money knowing there may be zero results," he said, while vowing to help "identify people of character" to replace Representatives Mario Díaz-Balart, Carlos Giménez, and María Elvira Salazar.

Fernández says his efforts are rooted in gratitude for the country that gave him refuge and opportunity. "I owe this nation much," he said, "and I will give it all that I can to help it get out of this terrible time."