EL PASO, Texas — Three immigrants who secured a restraining order against the federal government to prevent their transfer to Guantanamo Bay were deported this week on direct flights to Venezuela, as revealed in court documents released recently.
The deportation took place on Monday, immediately following a federal judge’s approval of a temporary order aimed at blocking their transfer to the infamous naval base.
In a sweeping immigration enforcement effort, Venezuelan immigrants are reportedly being flown daily from a military base in El Paso to Guantanamo Bay.
Attorneys representing the deported individuals assert that they were unjustly accused of ties to a notorious gang, raising serious concerns about their safety upon return to Venezuela.
“The government’s unfounded claims regarding gang affiliation pose significant risks to their lives and freedom,” stated an attorney representing the men during federal proceedings.
In response to the situation, immigrant rights organizations have initiated a separate legal action demanding access to individuals who have been sent to Guantanamo Bay without legal representation or the ability to contact family members.
The ongoing crisis in Venezuela, characterized by severe economic and political turmoil under President Nicolás Maduro, has prompted millions to flee, seeking refuge in other parts of Latin America or the United States.
The Tren de Aragua gang, central to the accusations, emerged over a decade ago from a chaotic prison environment in the Venezuelan state of Aragua.
