Deportation flights to Venezuela will go on as planned, despite the recent arrest of former Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro. A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security clarified that these flights are not suspended.
During an interview on “Fox News Sunday,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem noted that, although the government in Caracas is undergoing a transition, no payments have been made related to these flights.
The Trump administration is concentrating its efforts on deporting criminal undocumented immigrants, notably members of the Venezuelan gang, Torre de Aragua, which was labeled a foreign terrorist organization by President Trump last year. The indictment against Maduro outlines that he has allegedly worked with narco-terrorists since at least 1999 to distribute cocaine.
According to the indictment, Torre de Aragua expanded its criminal operations across the Western Hemisphere, even establishing a presence in the U.S., including New York City.
The gang’s activities encompass human smuggling and various other illegal operations. They have also reportedly engaged in drug trafficking, gun running, human trafficking for commercial sex, as well as kidnapping, theft, fraud, and extortion. Additionally, members have committed violent acts, such as murder and assault, to further their criminal enterprises.
It’s important to note that many Venezuelans currently residing in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) now face the risk of deportation, especially since Noem ended TPS for Venezuelans last year.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security previously stated, “Venezuela’s significant role” in facilitating irregular migration and the draw created by TPS could undermine the administration’s efforts to manage border security effectively.
