Bluebonnet Detention Center Detainees Claim “SOS” Amid deportation Fears

Reuters

ANSON,⁤ Texas – Detainees at the⁢ Bluebonnet immigrant detention center in Anson,⁤ Texas, issued a⁣ distress signal this ⁢week, raising concerns​ about potential deportations.

On Monday, a group of 31 men formed the letters “SOS” in the ⁤detention center’s courtyard as a​ drone flew overhead, according too⁤ Reuters.

The demonstration follows ⁢notifications received by dozens of Venezuelan detainees approximately 10 days prior. Immigration officials reportedly informed‌ them they were considered members‌ of the Aragua gang and subject to deportation under a law dating back to 1798, according to documents, recorded video calls,⁢ and ⁢court records reviewed by Reuters.

Detainees’ Families⁢ Deny‌ Gang ‌Affiliations

Relatives of seven detainees⁣ interviewed by Reuters refuted the allegations of gang membership,‌ stating the men were not ⁢affiliated with the ⁢Aragua gang. They also ‌claimed‍ they ‌refused‍ to sign documents acknowledging the accusations.

Despite these ⁣denials, detainees ⁤were reportedly loaded onto a bus destined for Abilene​ Regional Airport on⁢ April⁤ 18, ‍according ‍to the american Civil Liberties‌ Union. ⁢However, the bus returned to the detention⁢ center⁤ without deporting the detainees.

That same evening, ⁤the Supreme Court issued a temporary‌ block ‌on deportations,⁤ according to reports.The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) declined ‍to comment on the suspension.

Fear of⁤ Deportation ‌to el Salvador Prison

The temporary halt provided a reprieve for the Venezuelan detainees at Bluebonnet. However, they still face the possibility​ of deportation⁢ to CECOT, a⁣ maximum-security prison in El Salvador, should the Supreme​ Court lift the blockade. Reports indicate that at least ⁤137 Venezuelans have been sent to CECOT under the 1798 law.

The Bluebonnet facility, located approximately 200 miles ‍west of Dallas, ⁢is operated by the management and Training Corporation under contract with Immigration and⁤ Customs Enforcement (ICE). ⁤The facility⁢ has an average daily population of 846 detainees.

Concerns Over ⁢Due Process

On‍ April 26, an immigration official visited the detainees, answering questions regarding their situation, according to⁤ an audio recording obtained by Reuters. The detainees voiced concerns about being sent to El Salvador and the status‌ of​ their immigration court appointments.

The official stated that expulsion under the Law ⁢of Foreign Enemies ​was‍ a separate⁢ process from⁤ their scheduled ⁤immigration court hearings. “If you are expelled‍ under the Law of Foreign‌ Enemies, ⁣the date of the trial ​does not exist,” the official said, according ‍to the recording.

Several detainees questioned how they could⁣ be classified as⁣ “foreign‌ enemies” without any‌ criminal record or gang affiliation.

“If I⁣ don’t have a criminal record in‌ the three⁢ countries in which I have lived,how are⁤ they going to send me to El Salvador?”⁤ one⁤ detainee asked,according to the recording. Reuters was unable to confirm⁤ the detainee’s identity.

The official stated he was ‍not involved‌ in the information gathering‌ process.

Some detainees⁢ had court dates scheduled last week, prompting defense attorneys to seek legal counsel.

One detainee, identified as Millán, has a ⁤pending asylum case with‌ a court date⁤ scheduled for may 1, unless he is deported⁣ to El Salvador before then.

Facility Response

A management spokesman and Training ‍Corporation,which manages the center,said ⁤that “all detainees ‍lodged⁣ in Bluebonnet receive‌ meals based on a ‍menu that has been approved by a certified⁢ dietitian,guaranteeing ⁤that the recommended daily⁣ caloric intake⁣ is fulfilled.”

in ‍a statement, the DHS said that “uses multiple strategies to manage capacity, maintaining compliance ⁤with federal norms and our commitment to ⁤human treatment.”