Venezuelan Families Search Desperately for Missing Loved Ones After U.S. Deportations

The article covers the situation of Venezuelan migrants, specifically focusing on Franco Caraballo, who, after being taken from a Texas detention center, was deported to El Salvador. His name disappeared from ICE’s locator, leading to panic among families. The Trump administration’s justification for deportations hinges on alleged gang affiliations, yet many deportees lack criminal histories. These events have prompted outrage in Venezuela, with accusations that deportations constitute kidnappings.

Franco Caraballo, a 26-year-old barber, expressed his fear and confusion after being taken from a Texas detention facility along with numerous Venezuelan migrants. He was flown away under circumstances that were completely unknown to him. Within 24 hours, his name was no longer available on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) online locator, leaving his family in a state of panic.

Caraballo’s wife, Johanny Sánchez, later discovered that he was among more than 200 Venezuelans flown to El Salvador, where he is now imprisoned after being accused by the Trump administration of being affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang. Sánchez vehemently contests this characterization of her husband and struggles to comprehend the rationale behind such allegations.

The recent deportation flights have triggered distress among families as many loved ones vanished from ICE’s locator system. Some were found in a high-security prison in El Salvador, a location where there are no provisions for visitors or educational opportunities. The U.S. has contributed $6 million to El Salvador for the detention of prisoners, predominantly Venezuelans, as the Venezuelan government infrequently accepts deportees from the U.S.

Families are left in anguish. For instance, Xiomara Vizcaya reported her inability to ascertain the whereabouts of her son, Ali David Navas Vizcaya, who had been detained since early 2024 after arriving at a U.S. border crossing. He indicated during a call that he believed deportation was imminent, yet his name also vanished from ICE’s database.

The overwhelming exodus of Venezuelans has seen nearly 8 million leave their country since 2013, prompted by economic collapse. Many sought refuge in Latin American nations, while an increasing number began migrating to the U.S. following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions during the Biden administration.

On Saturday, President Trump invoked a historical wartime statute, the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, permitting the deportation of noncitizens without judicial recourse, including no opportunity for court appearances. Supporters of the Trump administration acknowledge this tough stance on immigration as a necessary measure.

The administration claims it is employing the Alien Enemies Act to deport suspected Tren de Aragua gang members, asserting a threat from this group, despite offering no supporting evidence. A court filing from U.S. officials mentioned that many individuals sent to El Salvador lack criminal records, countering claims of them being gang members, although they assert that all deportees are considered potential threats due to their alleged affiliations.

Caraballo had dutifully attended ICE check-ins in Dallas related to his asylum request. Sánchez noted the irony, questioning why a gang member would willingly report to authorities under the current harsh immigration climate. She emphasized that they complied with all legal requirements and proved Caraballo’s clean record in Venezuela.

Accusations against Caraballo seem to stem from a tattoo commemorating his daughter’s birthday, a detail Sánchez disputes as insufficient grounds for discrimination. She recounted the sacrifices made during their migration journey, where they faced extreme hardships in pursuit of a better life in the U.S., hoping for a fresh start away from the oppressive regime of Nicolás Maduro.

The Venezuelan government condemned these deportations as “kidnappings,” calling for protests in Caracas urging the return of detainees. Jorge Rodriguez, a key negotiator with the U.S., encouraged Venezuelans in America to return home, lamenting that the American dream had devolved into a “Salvadoran nightmare.” Sánchez echoed this sentiment, expressing her desire to leave the U.S. once her husband is found, never envisaging that their flight from Venezuela would lead to escalated challenges.

The plight of Venezuelan migrants facing sudden deportations highlights the distressing realities of U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration. Families are left despondent as their loved ones are vanished from detention lists, with many ending up in unsafe prison conditions abroad. Their harrowing journey for safety has resulted in unforeseen hardships and a desperate search for justice and reunion, amidst accusations lacking substantiated evidence. The narrative draws a somber picture of migration, underscoring the urgent need for compassionate and just immigration reform.

Original Source: www.pbs.org