Venezuelan Immigrants Disappear from ICE Tracking After Deportation Flights
Franco Caraballo, a Venezuelan immigrant, vanished from ICE records after a deportation flight to El Salvador where he, along with others, faces accusations of gang affiliation. Families are left in turmoil without information about their loved ones, as deportations are backed by President Trump’s invocation of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. Critics dispute the legitimacy of these allegations while the Venezuelan government condemns the actions as kidnappings, reflecting deeper geopolitical tensions.
Franco Caraballo, a 26-year-old barber, experienced a frightening moment when he called his wife, Johanny Sánchez, crying after being transported with fellow Venezuelan migrants from a federal detention center in Texas. This occurred just hours before his name mysteriously vanished from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) online detainee locator, sparking concern among families across the country.
Caraballo was part of over 200 Venezuelan immigrants flown to El Salvador under accusations of gang affiliation with the Tren de Aragua, which his wife vehemently denies. She is struggling to understand why her husband is being associated with such claims and expressed her panic while looking for him.
The recent deportation flights prompted widespread distress among families, many of whom have lost track of their loved ones following their disappearance from ICE records. Those who were located have landed in a maximum-security prison in El Salvador with no options for visitation or educational activities. Moreover, families face significant challenges in obtaining information due to the lack of an inmate database in El Salvador.
For instance, Xiomara Vizcaya is searching for her son, Ali David Navas Vizcaya, who thought he was being deported either to Venezuela or Mexico as he awaited an appointment with immigration officials. She fears her son may have been wrongly identified as a gang member due to his tattoos, though he has no criminal history and departed Venezuela for a better life.
The mass deportations were sanctioned by President Donald Trump, invoking the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, enabling the U.S. to deport individuals without legal recourse. Advocates for tougher immigration policies praise this approach, while critics highlight a lack of evidence for the gang membership claims made against deported individuals, many of whom have no criminal records.
Caraballo, who was regular with his asylum check-ins and followed legal procedures, was apprehended under allegations of gang affiliation. His wife argues that the tattoo taken as evidence does not justify the accusations against him. She states they left Venezuela amid poverty, hoping for a better life in America, expecting to earn a sustainable living.
Meanwhile, the Venezuelan government has condemned the deportation flights as “kidnappings” and called on expatriates to return. However, the ongoing diplomatic rift between Venezuela and El Salvador complicates matters for those detained. Human rights advocates express that these deportations burden Venezuela’s immigration crisis and accuse the U.S. of lacking transparency regarding the legal status of deported individuals.
Sánchez feels disillusioned with her pursuit of the American dream, wanting to leave the U.S. after locating her husband, stating, “We fled Venezuela for a better future. We never imagined things would be worse.”
The deportation of Venezuelan immigrants under allegations of gang affiliation continues to spark fear and confusion among families affected by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s operations. The lack of transparency in these operations has raised concerns as many detainees are transported without clear communication or legal recourse. The emotional toll on families, coupled with the political implications in the context of immigration, highlights the complexities of seeking asylum and the harsh realities faced by immigrants fleeing dire circumstances in their home countries.
Original Source: www.nbcdfw.com
