After the release of videos depicting over 200 Venezuelan men deported from the U.S. arriving at one of the world’s most perilous prisons in El Salvador, a woman named Nays recognized a familiar face.
It was her partner, and witnessing him in the footage overwhelmed her with fear, as she shared with CBS News.
Nays, who is nine months pregnant and still resides in the U.S., became emotional as she remarked, “He won’t be there when our child is born.”
Her partner, 29-year-old Henry Albornoz, crossed the southern border over a year ago. According to Nays, he had been working as a mechanic in Texas until he was detained in January during a standard check-in with federal agents. Contrary to claims made by the Trump administration, Nays asserted to CBS News that her partner “has never been involved with a gang.”
“He was never part of any gang activities. He’s a good man. Responsible. Hardworking,” she stated.
The Trump administration has alleged that the men sent to the El Salvador prison known as CECOT were all affiliated with the criminal gang Tren de Aragua, or TDA.
However, last week, CBS News uncovered information indicating that Franco José Caraballo Tiapa, a 26-year-old barber who sought asylum in the U.S. and was also among those sent to CECOT, has no criminal history.
“Border czar” Tom Homan defended the deportations, informing CBS News, “I’ve been assured by the highest levels of ICE, the men and women of Immigration and Customs Enforcement who created that manifest, who reviewed each file, and spent countless hours investigating each individual, that they are, in fact, all members of TDA.”
While Homan conceded that he has not personally reviewed the files and evidence of each deportee, he emphasized his trust in the professionals working at ICE. “I’ll rely on the expertise of the men and women at ICE,” he stated.
He also maintained, “Not every gang member has a criminal record.”
A court case is currently pending regarding the deportations to El Salvador, with the Trump administration on Monday invoking state secrets, asserting that it will not disclose any further information to a federal judge as he deliberates whether the administration violated his order to turn the planes carrying Venezuelan migrants back.
