In March 2023, two women, Moyetones and Rodriguez, spoke about their wrongful deportation attempt by the Trump administration to El Salvador. They claim they were misled about their destination and have faced significant distress in detention. Their accounts challenge the legitimacy of the deportation processes, highlighting systemic failures regarding women’s treatment in immigration cases and the need for due process.
On March 15, under the Trump administration, over 200 men were deported on three flights to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison. While video footage displayed these men being escorted to detention, eight women, including Heymar Padilla Moyetones, were included in the transport but never disembarked, as El Salvador refused to accept them, resulting in their return to detention in the United States.
For the first time, Moyetones and fellow detainee Scarleth Rodriguez have publicly recounted their experiences during the chaotic deportation process, claiming they were misled regarding their destination. “We were lied to,” Moyetones stated, emphasizing that ICE officials had informed them they were being consigned to Venezuela, only to reveal upon arrival that they were in El Salvador instead.
The Trump administration maintained that all individuals sent to El Salvador had been thoroughly vetted and linked to a gang labeled as a terrorist organization. However, this vetting reportedly did not verify if El Salvador would accept female detainees, leading to the confusion surrounding the flights. ICE officials purportedly withheld the women from disembarking, suggesting they would return to the United States.
This incident highlights the government’s errant deportation practices. In another case, a man married to a U.S. citizen was wrongfully deported against a court order, indicating systemic errors in the identification of gang members based on unreliable tattoo assessments. Notably, no acknowledgment has been made regarding the women’s ordeal by the administration, which insists on the adequacy of their deportation criteria without judicial oversight.
Both Moyetones and Rodriguez have refuted claims of their affiliation with crime or gangs. They insist they arrived in the United States with aspirations for a better life. Moyetones expressed her disillusionment with the United States, stating she wishes to return to Venezuela, leaving her two-year-old son in the care of relatives, a separation that fills her with anxiety.
These women’s accounts contradict the government’s assertions of a robust and fair vetting process prior to deportation to El Salvador. Their testimonies align with a foundational court affidavit, raising serious questions about due process and compliance with judicial orders, as noted by Lee Gelernt of the ACLU, who criticized the lack of careful assessment in deportation decisions.
The lead-up to the flights included miscommunication and confusion within ICE, with previous unsuccessful deportation attempts. Witness testimonies indicate ICE officials led women to believe they were going to Venezuela, only to turn them back without clear explanations, furthering the distress suffered during these processes.
Once aboard the flight, the women soon realized the truth of their situation. During a stop in Guatemala, they were still misled about their destination. Upon landing in El Salvador, they understood the falsehood, as they recognized the airport from their native Venezuela. Moyetones noted the harsh treatment of the men upon arrival, contrasting sharply with the narrative of humane deportation practices.
Scarleth Rodriguez’s mother expressed deep grief, having hoped for her daughter’s arrival in Venezuela. Rodriguez had attempted crossing into the U.S. multiple times, yearning for a chance at asylum. Her mother lamented the hardships of their humble life and pledged to support her daughter should she face deportation to Venezuela, highlighting the sacrifice and hope that many families endure.
The testimony of Heymar Padilla Moyetones and Scarleth Rodriguez underscores critical flaws in the Trump administration’s deportation processes, revealing a troubling lack of transparency and due diligence. Their experiences expose the chaos surrounding U.S. immigration practices, particularly regarding the treatment of vulnerable populations such as women and children. The broader implications of this case reflect systemic issues within the immigration system, raising important questions about due process and the ethical responsibilities in handling deportations.
Original Source: www.nbcnews.com
