Family Fears for Venezuelan Asylum Seeker After Deportation to El Salvador Prison

• Wladimir Vera Villamizar underwent a major surgery after severe health issues.
• His family has not heard from him since his deportation to El Salvador.
• Legal experts argue his past crimes should not affect his rights.
• Vera’s situation raises serious concerns about medical care in CECOT.
• Families of other detainees are equally worried about their loved ones’ health.

Family Fears for Health After Emergency Surgery

Venezuelan national Wladimir Vera Villamizar’s situation has become a source of deep concern for his family, particularly his mother, Mariela Villamizar. Vera, a 33-year-old welder, underwent major surgery after struggling with a tuberculosis infection that left significant damage to his lung. His mother noted that his health had deteriorated while he was seeking asylum in the United States and further worsened during his time in immigration detention last year, which led to an emergency operation to remove his right lung.

Detention Raises Questions About Medical Care

Despite surviving the life-threatening procedure, Vera’s hope for a stable recovery was shattered when he was detained once again after stepping out on an ankle monitor. Shortly after President Donald Trump invoked measures that led to the deportation of over 200 Venezuelan men to El Salvador’s infamous supermax prison, Vera’s name surfaced in connection to these deportees. His family is understandably anxious, as they have not heard from him since March 13, raising alarm over what can only be described as an incomprehensible silence in light of his recent medical history and the conditions at the prison where he is supposed to be held.

Legal Experts Challenge Deportation Justifications

According to legal experts, Vera’s past is evaluated incorrectly when considering his due process rights during immigration proceedings. The Department of Homeland Security paints a grim picture of Vera’s background, describing him as a member of Tren de Aragua, one of the most violent gangs in Latin America. However, Vera’s mother maintains that her son’s previous conviction for homicide was a case of wrongful accusation. Constitutional rights attorneys argue that historical crimes should not strip individuals of their legal rights, particularly concerning their health and safety after being deported to a dangerous environment.

Wladimir Vera Villamizar’s plight highlights the complex intersection of immigration policy, due process rights, and medical care. His family’s distress is compounded by a lack of information post-deportation, posing dire questions about his health after a significant surgical procedure. The ongoing situation underscores broader concerns for countless families in similar predicaments as they seek accountability and transparency in the treatment of their loved ones.