Lawyers Reveal Shocking Deportations: Innocent Venezuelans Sent to Brutal El Salvador Prison Over Tattoos

In a recent development, attorneys representing several Venezuelan immigrants have asserted that their clients were wrongfully deported under the Trump administration’s wartime authority, even though some had no criminal records or ongoing cases in immigration court. This argument was put forth in court briefings last Thursday, following a federal judge’s order to halt the deportation flights.

Lawyers for four men, who were deported and sent to the notorious Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT) in El Salvador, revealed that all were accused of being linked to the Tren de Aragua gang under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798. Two notable individuals among these deportees include a professional soccer player and a political activist opposed to the Maduro regime in Venezuela. Additionally, one of the men is a father of a U.S. citizen.

Last week, President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act allowing for the swift deportation of Venezuelan nationals suspected of gang affiliation. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), which has initiated legal action against this practice, expressed concerns, stating, “If the President can label any group as enemy aliens under the Act… there is no limit on who can be sent to a Salvadoran prison.”

The White House confirmed that 238 Venezuelans were deported, but it declined to provide further details about the flights that occurred on March 15, the same day a federal judge imposed a temporary restraining order on the wartime authority.

Sworn statements from four attorneys revealed that some clients were initially slated for deportation but were removed before departure. Those who disembarked were told by immigration officials they had “won the lottery” by avoiding deportation that day.

The case has attracted attention ahead of a scheduled hearing in the U.S. District Court where Judge James Emanuel Boasberg is demanding clarification from the government regarding the timing of the deportation flights.

Human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, have raised alarms about conditions within CECOT. El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele stated via social media that deported individuals would perform hard labor for up to a year, further complicating the situation. Reports indicate the U.S. government allocated $6 million to El Salvador for the detention of these individuals.

Attorneys for the deported individuals have recounted troubling narratives. Jerce Reyes Barrios, a professional soccer player, was accused of gang affiliation based on his tattoos, including one of a soccer ball and a crown. His attorney emphasized that this tattoo represents loyalty to his favorite soccer team, not gang affiliation.

Similarly, another client allegedly targeted by ICE, identified as E.V., fled Venezuela after enduring torture. His tattoos are personal choices rather than indicators of gang involvement, according to his attorney. Another individual, L.G., faces allegations of gang membership despite having pending asylum claims and tattoos unrelated to criminal activity.

In a poignant account, Solanyer Michell Sarabia Gonzalez expressed concern for his younger brother, a tattoo artist detained by immigration officials. Despite their efforts, he has lost contact with his brother, heightening fears for his safety.

The unfolding situation raises significant questions about the treatment of immigrants and the implications of wartime authority on deportations. Legal developments in the coming days may provide further insights into this controversial policy and its impact on those affected.