Venezuelan families are in anguish as recent deportations by the Trump administration have raised fears for the safety of their relatives, particularly those labeled as gang members and sent to a notorious Salvadoran prison.
Venezuelan Families in Distress Amid Trump's Mass Deportations
Venezuelan Families in Distress Amid Trump's Mass Deportations
Trump's deportation policies leave Venezuelan families fearing for loved ones' safety as 238 migrants are sent to El Salvador.
March 16, 2025, 8:01 p.m. ET—The recent deportation of 238 Venezuelans to El Salvador has sparked widespread panic among families in Venezuela, with many fearing for the lives and safety of their loved ones. Mirelis Casique, a mother from Venezuela, lamented the disappearance of her 24-year-old son, who had informed her he was being deported while in a Texas detention center.
Her son’s name quickly vanished from U.S. immigration records, leaving Ms. Casique with no further communication or knowledge of his whereabouts. "Now he’s in an abyss with no one to rescue him," she expressed during a conversation from her home in Venezuela.
The Trump administration has described these deported individuals as part of the Tren de Aragua gang, with White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt labeling them as “terrorists” and calling their deportation a measure to protect American lives. However, many families contest these allegations, claiming their relatives have no gang affiliations.
Reports indicate that the Salvadoran government has already begun processing the deportees, showcasing images of them arriving at a notorious mega-prison, shackled and with shaved heads, intensifying concerns about the treatment they may face in their new environment.
This ongoing situation highlights the broader implications of immigration policies and the potential humanitarian crises that can arise from them, particularly for vulnerable populations seeking refuge from violence and persecution.
Her son’s name quickly vanished from U.S. immigration records, leaving Ms. Casique with no further communication or knowledge of his whereabouts. "Now he’s in an abyss with no one to rescue him," she expressed during a conversation from her home in Venezuela.
The Trump administration has described these deported individuals as part of the Tren de Aragua gang, with White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt labeling them as “terrorists” and calling their deportation a measure to protect American lives. However, many families contest these allegations, claiming their relatives have no gang affiliations.
Reports indicate that the Salvadoran government has already begun processing the deportees, showcasing images of them arriving at a notorious mega-prison, shackled and with shaved heads, intensifying concerns about the treatment they may face in their new environment.
This ongoing situation highlights the broader implications of immigration policies and the potential humanitarian crises that can arise from them, particularly for vulnerable populations seeking refuge from violence and persecution.
