Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant, may have been deported to El Salvador despite having no criminal record, raising concerns about due process and incorrect gang allegations. His wife fears for his safety amid poor communication and harsh prison conditions at CECOT. The Trump administration’s claims of gang affiliations among deportees are in question, as legal representatives seek clarity and justice.
The families of Venezuelan migrants deported from the United States to an El Salvador prison express deep concern about the assumption that all deportees are gang members. Among them is Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, 26, who entered the U.S. in 2023 seeking asylum from persecution. Following an unexpected detention during a routine check-in with ICE, his wife Johanny Sánchez has lost contact with him, and his attorney suspects he has been deported.
Documents from the Department of Homeland Security indicate that Caraballo is accused of gang membership but also confirm his lack of a criminal record in both the U.S. and Venezuela. His attorney, Martin Rosenow, states, “He was not given due process. He was not able to defend this allegation.” Although the DHS document mentions tattoos, it does not explicitly link them to gang activity.
The Trump administration claims that all Venezuelans deported to CECOT prison in El Salvador have gang ties. However, a sworn declaration from an ICE official on Monday said “carefully vetted each” migrant to confirm their gang affiliations. The official noted that while some deportees have criminal records, many do not.
Sánchez has been searching for images of deportees to identify her husband and expressed her anxieties, asserting his innocence. The CECOT prison has gained notoriety for its lack of communication; inmates lack access to mobile coverage and visitors, with some imprisoned indefinitely without convictions. Rosenow fears a loss of jurisdiction over Caraballo’s case, questioning who has authority over him.
With hope for mercy from both El Salvador and the U.S., Sánchez insists, “Just because of being Venezuelans, they can’t judge us all for being criminals.” Meanwhile, DHS maintains confidence in its intelligence and adherence to the law, yet it has not provided any updates regarding Caraballo’s situation. Salvadoran officials have declined to disclose further information about those deported.
In this distressing scenario, the plight of Franco José Caraballo Tiapa emphasizes the significant concerns surrounding the deportation of Venezuelan migrants, particularly regarding due process and the assumptions associated with gang affiliations. The lack of communication and jurisdictional clarity exacerbates the fears of families, such as that of Mrs. Sánchez, who seek justice and the safe return of their loved ones from harsh prison conditions. It remains crucial for immigration authorities to uphold fair practices and transparency in such sensitive cases.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
