Venezuelan Migrant Deported to El Salvador Despite No Criminal Record

Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, a Venezuelan migrant, was deported from the U.S. to El Salvador despite having no criminal record. His wife fears for his safety as he has been linked to the Tren de Aragua gang without due process. Concerns over access to legal and personal support in El Salvador are prominent, as DHS and ICE assert their actions are lawful and justified.

Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, entered the U.S. in 2023 seeking asylum from persecution. He was detained during a routine check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in February, and his wife, Johanny Sánchez, fears he was deported to El Salvador, losing contact with him afterward. Documentation shows Caraballo has no criminal record in the U.S. or Venezuela.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) accused Caraballo of being associated with the Tren de Aragua gang but confirmed that he has no criminal history. His attorney, Martin Rosenow, emphasized that Caraballo did not receive due process, and the tattoos mentioned in the DHS documents were not explicitly linked to gang involvement.

The Trump administration claims all Venezuelan deportees have gang affiliations, but the ICE official asserted that each case was thoroughly vetted, noting that while many deportees lack a criminal record, some do not. Sánchez has been trying to identify her husband among the recent deportees, expressing her concern about his safety in CECOT prison, known for its harsh conditions.

Sánchez highlighted the distress of no access or contact with her husband, raising questions about custody and jurisdiction over deportees, uncertain if it lies with El Salvador, ICE, or the U.S. government. She urged fairness in treatment, stating that not all Venezuelans should be judged as criminals.

Despite DHS’s confidence in its intelligence and legal adherence, they did not comment on Caraballo’s specific situation, leaving his attorney worried that U.S. courts may have lost jurisdiction. Salvadoran officials have also declined to provide further information about the deported individuals.

The article describes the case of Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, a Venezuelan migrant who, despite having no criminal record, was deported to El Salvador amid accusations linking him to gang activity. His wife expresses concern over his detention in CECOT prison, which is notorious for lack of access. The article reveals broader issues regarding the treatment of migrants and the intersection of U.S. and Salvadoran legal jurisdictions.

Original Source: www.cbsnews.com