Venezuelan Migrant Families Fear for Loved Ones Deported to El Salvador
In a shocking turn of events, Venezuelan migrants, including Franco Caraballo, were deported from the U.S. to El Salvador, despite lacking criminal records. Their families are frantic as they search for them amidst allegations of gang ties, which they deny. The Trump administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act raises significant legal concerns regarding the deportation process. The Venezuelan government condemned these actions as kidnappings, prompting protests for the return of detainees.
Franco Caraballo, a Venezuelan migrant detained in Texas, was unexpectedly transported on a U.S. immigration flight, leaving his family in panic. His name subsequently vanished from ICE’s online locator, confirming his deportation to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador. Caraballo faces allegations of gang affiliation, which his wife, Johanny Sánchez, vehemently denies, claiming the accusations lack logic.
The weekend flights organized by immigration authorities sparked fear among families of the detained migrants. Many were unaware of their loved ones’ whereabouts until they were discovered in El Salvador’s high-security facility, where conditions are harsh, and visitor access is denied. The U.S. government has financed the transfer with $6 million, despite Venezuelan authorities’ reluctance to accept deportees.
Xiomara Vizcaya expressed concern for her son, who had been in U.S. custody prior to his sudden disappearance from ICE records. Over the past decade, nearly 8 million Venezuelans have fled their country due to socio-economic collapse. Following COVID-19, many have sought asylum in the U.S., particularly under the Biden administration.
President Trump’s recent implementation of the Alien Enemies Act allows for expedited deportations without due legal process, especially targeting those allegedly linked to the Tren de Aragua gang. Critics point out the lack of evidence substantiating these claims, as federal filings noted that many of those deported hold no criminal records.
Caraballo had consistently complied with immigration procedures, making his case particularly troubling for his wife, who argues that genuine asylum seekers should not face such punitive measures. She emphasized that a tattoo on her husband does not equate to gang affiliation, advocating for their right to seek a new life away from Venezuela’s oppressive regime.
The Venezuelan government condemned the U.S. actions, labeling the deportations as kidnappings and calling on citizens to protest against these measures. Jorge Rodriguez, a Venezuelan official, urged those living abroad to return, stating that the American dream has morphed into a nightmare. Sánchez echoes this sentiment, expressing a desire to leave the U.S. once her husband’s situation is resolved, highlighting the painful irony of their pursuit of a better life.
The abrupt deportation of Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador has ignited panic among families, who struggle to locate their loved ones in a harsh prison environment. The application of the Alien Enemies Act by the Trump administration raises questions regarding the legality of these actions, especially given the lack of criminal records among many deportees. Families like that of Franco Caraballo face the compounded trauma of separation and wrongful accusations of gang affiliation as they seek to navigate an uncertain future away from Venezuela.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
