News Summary

A Houston federal judge has mandated the U.S. government to locate Widmer Josneyder Agelviz Sanguino, a 24-year-old Venezuelan man who disappeared after being allegedly deported to El Salvador despite having a pending asylum case. His family filed a lawsuit against the federal government, claiming violations of his due process rights. Concerns have escalated over his treatment and the systemic issues within the U.S. immigration process as the government faces scrutiny to comply with the court’s order for information on his whereabouts.

Houston Judge Orders U.S. Government to Locate Venezuelan Man Believed Deported to El Salvador

A federal judge in Houston has ordered the U.S. government to locate a 24-year-old Venezuelan man, Widmer Josneyder Agelviz Sanguino, who has been missing since March 15. Agelviz Sanguino was reportedly deported to El Salvador despite a pending asylum case, raising concerns about his treatment and legal rights during the immigration process.

Following his arrival in Houston as a refugee, Agelviz Sanguino was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody last fall. After being deemed eligible for refugee status, he fled Venezuela for Ecuador and was approved for travel to Texas. However, upon his arrival at Bush International Airport, he was detained after Customs and Border Patrol officers identified tattoos linked to the Tren de Aragua gang, leading to the denial of his refugee status. Subsequently, Agelviz Sanguino initiated an asylum claim while being held at an ICE facility in Conroe, Texas.

His family lost contact with him shortly after he was detained, and concerns mounted when his name appeared on a flight manifest that indicated he was among a group of 238 Venezuelan men deported to a mega prison in El Salvador. Neither his family nor his attorneys have managed to communicate with him since his disappearance.

Lawsuit Filed by Family

In response to the growing concerns for Agelviz Sanguino’s well-being and legal rights, his family filed a lawsuit against the federal government. The lawsuit alleges violations of his due process rights and demands the immediate return of Agelviz Sanguino. Judge Keith Ellison, presiding over the case, has mandated a swift response from the government, requiring them to verify his location and health within 24 hours while also explaining the legal grounds for his detention. Furthermore, the government must restore communication with Agelviz Sanguino’s attorneys within two days.

Government’s Deadline and Compliance

The court has given the U.S. government three days to report on compliance with the judge’s order, which must include details of the measures taken to locate Agelviz Sanguino. If the government claims difficulties in facilitating communication with El Salvador’s facilities, they must demonstrate genuine effort to secure cooperation from Salvadoran authorities. The urgency of this case is underscored by similar patterns found in a related case involving another migrant, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, which further highlights the systemic issues regarding the deportation process.

Funding and Conditions in El Salvador

The U.S. has reportedly paid at least $6 million to El Salvador for housing deported migrants, which links to concerns about conditions in these facilities and the treatment of individuals affiliated with gangs such as Tren de Aragua. Agelviz Sanguino, possessing no known criminal record in Venezuela, Ecuador, or the U.S., finds himself embroiled in this complicated legal situation that his family is fervently trying to navigate.

Legal Representatives Call for Clarity

Attorney Javier Rivera has raised significant concerns regarding the U.S. government’s inability to provide confirmation of Agelviz Sanguino’s whereabouts, especially following claims that he had been deported. During a recent court session, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jimmy Rodriguez admitted that he lacked information confirming Agelviz Sanguino’s current status, recognizing the sensitivity of the situation involved.

The case has drawn attention not only to the specific circumstances surrounding Agelviz Sanguino but also to broader issues of communication and accountability within the U.S. immigration system as it grapples with an increasing number of asylum seekers and deportees.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Additional Resources

• NPR
• Wikipedia: Asylum in the United States
• CNN
• Google Search: Venezuelan asylum process
• Reuters
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Immigration
• ABC News
• Google News: El Salvador deportation conditions