Concerns Grow Over Venezuelan Migrant’s Deportation and Due Process Rights

Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant seeking asylum, has reportedly been deported to El Salvador despite having no criminal record. His case raises concerns regarding due process and the treatment of deportees in El Salvador’s CECOT prison, known for its lack of communication and oversight. His wife, Johanny Sánchez, expresses fear for his safety and pleads for fairness in the legal proceedings.

The case of Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, is raising concerns regarding due process in U.S. deportations. Caraballo entered the United States in 2023, seeking asylum from persecution in Venezuela, but was detained during a routine check-in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in February 2023. His wife, Johanny Sánchez, has lost contact with him, fearing that he has been deported to El Salvador, where he has been imprisoned without proper communication.

Documentary evidence from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) indicates that Caraballo is accused of being affiliated with the criminal gang Tren de Aragua. However, the same documents confirm that he has no criminal record in the U.S. or Venezuela. Attorney Martin Rosenow remarked, “He was not given due process. He was not able to defend this allegation.”

DHS asserts that all individuals deported under the Trump administration to El Salvador’s CECOT prison were thoroughly vetted for gang affiliations. An ICE official stated that while many deported individuals lack criminal records, the conditions of CECOT, known for its lack of oversight and communication, raise significant concerns about accountability.

Sánchez is actively searching for information regarding her husband among images of the deportees. She expressed her worries about his wellbeing, emphasizing his innocence. The conditions at CECOT, which lacks cellular service and visitor access, further exacerbate the anxiety among family members, leaving them uncertain about their loved ones’ fates. Rosenow stated, “Who has custody over our client? Who has jurisdiction? We have no idea.”

Through her struggles, Sánchez continues to advocate for compassion from both the U.S. and El Salvador, declaring, “Just because of being Venezuelans, they can’t judge us all for being criminals.” Although DHS remains firm in its deportation practices, Caraballo’s attorney fears a loss of jurisdiction for U.S. courts, while Salvadoran officials have refrained from providing further information about the deportees.

Franco José Caraballo Tiapa’s case highlights critical issues regarding deportation practices and due process for migrants in the United States. Despite being accused of gang affiliation, documentation confirms he has no criminal history. The conditions within El Salvador’s CECOT prison and the lack of jurisdiction for U.S. attorneys exacerbate concerns. Advocacy from family members like Johanny Sánchez underscores the need for fair treatment and the presumption of innocence for all migrants, regardless of their nationality.

Original Source: www.cbsnews.com