Families of Venezuelan immigrants recently deported were devastated to find their loved ones had been sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador. They recognized them in a video circulating on social media. The families insist their relatives have no ties to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, a claim used by the Trump administration to expedite deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, a seldom-used law from 1798. They argue their family members were unfairly targeted due to their tattoos.
The families were shocked that their relatives were sent to a large prison in El Salvador instead of back to Venezuela. The White House stated it trusts the Department of Homeland Security's assessments of gang affiliations and criminal activities, noting that those deported had final orders of deportation. The administration emphasized its commitment to upholding the law.
Mervin Yamarte's family was horrified to see him in a video showing men being shackled and having their heads shaved before being taken to the Terrorism Confinement Center, a facility accused of human rights abuses. The video, released by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele, claimed the men were gang members deported from the U.S.
Anayel Miquelina, a relative of Yamarte, described the distress of Yamarte's mother and wife upon seeing him in the video. The Trump administration announced the deportation of hundreds of immigrants to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act, allowing deportation of noncitizens during wartime.
An ICE official noted that many deportees had no criminal records in the U.S., and the lack of detailed information about individuals highlighted the perceived risk they posed. Yamarte's family stated he had an open asylum case with no criminal record or gang connections. A search of records found no charges against him.
Juan Yamarte, Mervin's brother, explained that his tattoos were personal and not gang-related. He had been living in the U.S. for over a year before being detained. His family and others in Maracaibo, Venezuela, held a protest and prayer vigil.
Other families also recognized their relatives in the video and claimed they were wrongly accused of gang ties. Fritzgeralth De Jesus' sister described him as a good person with no criminal history. She received a farewell call from him before his deportation, later identifying him in the viral video.
De Jesus had entered the U.S. through the CBP One app and was detained due to his tattoos, his family believes. His attorney, Joseph Giardina, was surprised by the deportation, as De Jesus had a pending asylum case.
Mirelys Casique identified her son, Francisco García Casique, in a government-released photo. She insisted he was not a criminal and should have been sent back to Venezuela.
A federal judge issued a restraining order against using the Alien Enemies Act for deportations, questioning the timing of flights and custody transfers. The Venezuelan government condemned the detentions and issued a travel warning, urging international vigilance against practices undermining human dignity and international rights.