An investigation by the New York Times reveals no substantial evidence linking many deported Venezuelans to Tren de Aragua, contradicting claims made by the Trump administration during their deportation efforts. The investigation raises serious questions about the criteria used for such classifications. The future for the deported individuals remains unclear amid legal proceedings.
The New York Times has recently conducted a thorough investigation into the deportation of 238 Venezuelan men initiated by the Trump administration. These deportations were carried out under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, with claims that these individuals were affiliated with Tren de Aragua, a notorious transnational criminal organization. However, the investigation found scant evidence to substantiate these assertions against most of the deportees, raising serious questions about the administration’s actions and the criteria utilized for identifying gang members.
The findings detail a comprehensive two-week search for records across multiple countries, including the US, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Chile, and Colombia. Of the deportees sent to a prison in El Salvador on March 15, only 32 were found to possess a serious criminal record. Only a few of those had any potential ties to Tren de Aragua, adding to the skepticism surrounding the administration’s approach. Julie Turkewitz, the lead reporter on the investigation, remarked on the difficulties of obtaining reliable information from the Trump administration regarding these claims.
Turkewitz further examined how the Trump administration determined connections to Tren de Aragua. Court documents revealed a grading system that assigns points based on traits such as tattoos and clothing commonly associated with gang members. For instance, four points are awarded for tattoos that law enforcement believes signify gang affiliation. However, experts argue that these criteria do not accurately reflect actual membership indicators for Tren de Aragua, indicating a possible flawed methodology being applied.
Among the deportees was a man named Arturo Suarez Trejo, who had moved to Chile and worked in refrigeration while nurturing his passion for music. After receiving permission to enter the United States, he worked in North Carolina, only to be apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a music video shoot. Following his arrest, his wife — unaware of his fate — searched online for news about deported Venezuelans and found him incarcerated in a Salvadoran prison. Notably, he had no prior criminal record and no connections to Tren de Aragua.
The investigation also highlighted uncertainty surrounding the fate of these deported individuals. Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele expressed a demand for more concrete evidence linking the men to Tren de Aragua, although he has imposed a minimum one-year imprisonment term. Meanwhile, US Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated her view that they should remain incarcerated for life. The legal proceedings related to this case remain pending, adding further complexity to the situation.
In summary, the New York Times investigation debunks the Trump administration’s claims that most deported Venezuelans were members of Tren de Aragua. With evidence showing that only a handful have any potential connections to the gang, the validity of using the Alien Enemies Act for such actions is being called into question. The future of these deportees hangs in the balance, as uncertainty continues amidst ongoing legal battles.
Original Source: www.pbs.org
