Controversial Deportation of Venezuelan Gang Members to El Salvador
Recent deportations of individuals identified as members of a Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua, have sparked significant debate regarding the treatment and rights of detainees. Two planeloads of alleged gang members returned to El Salvador last week, including eight women who were subsequently sent back to the United States.
Details of the Deportation
A woman identified as S.Z.F.R. shared her experience in a sworn declaration, detailing her transfer to a detention facility in El Paso, Texas, before her flight to El Salvador. Onboard the aircraft, S.Z.F.R. questioned officials about their destination, only to be informed that they were being sent back to Venezuela. Other detainees reportedly expressed concern about their immigration status, citing pending court hearings.
Throughout the flight, all detainees, including women, were reportedly shackled at the arms and legs, even during a refueling stop in an unspecified country. S.Z.F.R.’s statement indicated that men on board were pressured to sign documents under duress, admitting to gang affiliations. “The government officials were pushing them to sign the documents and threatening them,” she recounted.
Legal Action and Response
During a recent hearing before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, an attorney from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) indicated plans to file the signed documents that were presented to detained individuals before their deportation. “We will put into the district court the piece of paper that individuals are getting that specifically says, ‘You’re not entitled to review,'” stated attorney Lee Gelernt.
On the administrative side, a U.S. District Judge issued a restraining order to temporarily halt these deportations, prompting an appeal from the Justice Department. Notably, an ICE official acknowledged in a declaration that many individuals deported recently under the Alien Enemies Act did not have prior criminal records in the United States, raising questions about the evidence of gang membership.
Return of Women and Subsequent Claims
After landing in El Salvador, the eight women remained aboard the plane while the men were disembarked. The women reportedly inquired about their fate, receiving mixed messages about their potential return to the U.S. or detainment in El Salvador. S.Z.F.R. disclosed that they were informed the Salvadoran president would not accept women and were consequently returned to the U.S. later that night.
Another migrant from Nicaragua, who was also on one of the planes, shared his experience, emphasizing the fear and confusion among those deported. He recounted hearing a Salvadoran official explain to an ICE officer that the Salvadoran government would not accept individuals from other Central American countries due to potential conflicts, especially regarding the female detainees.
Conclusion
The situation surrounding the deportation of alleged gang members raises critical issues regarding due process and the treatment of individuals within the U.S. immigration system. As legal challenges continue, the fates of those involved remain uncertain, emphasizing the need for ongoing observation and advocacy for the rights of migrants.