The future of Yonathan Betancourt, a 28-year-old Venezuelan currently held in the United States, is unclear following the suspension of his reported transfer to El Salvador, according to a family member.
His brother, Juan, revealed that Yonathan was taken to an airport on April 18 but was returned to the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Texas the following morning.
“They attempted to coerce him into signing documents. He believed he was being sent to Venezuela, but it was actually El Salvador,” Juan informed Reuters.
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On Saturday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a temporary injunction preventing the Trump administration from deporting another group of Venezuelan migrants alleged to have gang affiliations, following an emergency request from the American Civil Liberties Union.
Betancourt, who works as a barber, entered the United States legally around 18 months ago and possesses Temporary Protected Status valid until 2028, as stated by his brother. He noted that Yonathan was detained primarily due to his tattoos, despite having no criminal history or connections to the Tren de Aragua gang, which the Trump administration is targeting for deportation.
On Sunday, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele suggested a prisoner exchange with Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, involving 252 Venezuelans who have been deported.
In a video recorded from detention, Betancourt expressed, “We are desperate. We have faith in God that we are going to Venezuela,” and called for support from Maduro.
