The Men Trump Deported to a Salvadoran Prison
3 minute readPublished: Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Venezuelan Immigrants Detained and Released: A ProPublica Investigation
A joint investigation by ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, and Venezuelan journalists from Alianza Rebelde Investiga and Cazadores de Fake News has revealed new details surrounding the detention and release of over 230 Venezuelan immigrants. The investigation, which involved four months of reporting, examined the backgrounds of the men, who were held in a maximum-security prison in El Salvador.
The Trump administration, without providing evidence, had previously characterized the men as "violent savages." However, the investigation paints a different picture. Researchers obtained government data and conducted interviews with relatives, reviewed court records, and analyzed immigration data.
The findings indicate that the majority of the men were detained for immigration violations, not criminal convictions. Internal data showed that at least 197 of the men had not been convicted of crimes in the U.S., and only six had been convicted of violent offenses. Nearly half of the men were deported while their immigration cases were still pending, potentially violating their rights.
The investigation also highlighted the government's reliance on tattoos as a basis for associating the men with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, despite law enforcement experts stating that tattoos are not a reliable indicator of gang membership. The men, aged 18 to 46, were held for months, causing significant hardship for their families, including financial difficulties and emotional distress.
The White House did not directly address the findings but reiterated the administration's commitment to removing "dangerous criminal and terrorist illegals." The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment.
BNN's Perspective:
This investigation raises serious questions about the due process afforded to these immigrants and the accuracy of the administration's initial claims. While the government has a responsibility to protect its citizens, it must do so within the bounds of the law and with accurate information. The findings underscore the importance of thorough investigation and transparency in immigration enforcement.
Keywords: Venezuelan immigrants, detention, deportation, immigration violations, Trump administration, ProPublica, The Texas Tribune, El Salvador, Tren de Aragua, criminal convictions, due process, immigration enforcement, investigation, government data, tattoos, gang membership.