More than 230 Venezuelan nationals deported by the Trump administration to a Salvadoran prison were released in a prisoner swap. Allegations of violent criminality were made against these individuals; however, an investigation revealed that at least 75% had no criminal record. The swap included the return of 10 U.S. citizens by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Trump justified deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, contending it was necessary due to alleged gang affiliations, which were proven baseless. Reports from freed individuals describe mistreatment during their imprisonment.
We spent four months without any contact with the outside world, Suarez said. We were kidnapped. He later added, We got a beating for breakfast. We got a beating for lunch. We got a beating for dinner.
One of the freed men, Neri Jose Alvarado Borges, was reportedly arrested and deported over a tattoo that he said U.S. immigration authorities told him was a gang tattoo. But it turned out to be a tattoo promoting autism awareness.
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