Concerns Arise Over Deportation of Venezuelan Migrant with No Criminal Record

Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, a 26-year-old Venezuelan migrant seeking asylum, is feared to have been deported despite having no criminal record. Claims linking him to a gang lack definitive support, raising concerns about due process. Families of deported individuals express fears over safety and jurisdiction, with U.S. authorities offering vague reassurances about their practices.

Recent events concerning Venezuelan migrants reveal significant concerns regarding deportation practices. Families have expressed that not all individuals deported by the Trump administration were affiliated with gangs. Notably, Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, a 26-year-old from Venezuela, reportedly requested asylum in the U.S. in 2023 due to persecution but was detained during a routine check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His wife, Johanny Sánchez, fears he may have been deported, despite documentation showing he has no criminal record.

Caraballo is accused by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) of ties to the gang Tren de Aragua; however, he has no verified criminal history either in the U.S. or in Venezuela. His attorney, Martin Rosenow, emphasized that Caraballo was not afforded due process and could not defend against these serious allegations. The mere existence of tattoos listed in the DHS document does not confirm gang involvement, raising further questions about the basis of the claims against him.

The Trump administration asserted that all Venezuelans deported to El Salvador’s CECOT prison had gang affiliations, yet an ICE official recently stated that some of those deported do not have criminal records. Sánchez has been tirelessly searching for visuals of deportees in hopes of identifying her husband while expressing deep fears about his safety and innocence. CECOT prison has garnered a reputation for being an information dead zone, with inmates often locked away for life without convictions.

Concerns regarding jurisdiction and custody have arisen, with Rosenow pointing out the ambiguity regarding who oversees Caraballo’s detention. Neither the U.S. nor Salvadoran officials have provided clear answers, amplifying the distress of families involved. Despite DHS’s assurance about the integrity of their intelligence and legal adherence, specific details surrounding Caraballo’s situation remain elusive, fostering anxiety about the rights and safety of migrants.

Sánchez has appealed for compassion on behalf of Venezuelans facing such dire circumstances, stating that not all should be judged by the actions of a few. The DHS has yet to respond to inquiries about Caraballo’s case, while fears persist among families regarding the jurisdictional issues of deported individuals.

The plight of Venezuelan migrants, particularly Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, underscores the complexities and distressing realities surrounding U.S. deportation policies. Many affected individuals lack criminal records yet face severe accusations, raising questions about due process and legal protections. The ambiguity regarding custody and jurisdiction further complicates these situations, highlighting the urgent need for compassion and justice in addressing the concerns of deported migrants.

Original Source: www.cbsnews.com