Several human rights organizations have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration on behalf of the relatives of three Venezuelan immigrants who were transferred to the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. The legal action seeks to obtain details about the conditions of their detention and ensure they have access to legal assistance, as the lawsuit claims they have been cut off from communication.
The lawsuit, initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the Center for Constitutional Rights among others, highlights one particular case of a woman who discovered her brother's detention at Guantanamo after a photo was released by the U.S. government. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed the transfer of one of the migrants, 30-year-old Luis Alberto Castillo, to Guantanamo. His sister, Yajaira Castillo, argues that her brother's situation is unjust.
According to civil rights attorneys, the Trump administration has not clarified how long these migrants will be detained or provided information about the legal grounds for their detention. Castillo's family insists he was sent to Guantanamo just days after entering the U.S. through the CBP One app, denying any affiliation with the Tren de Aragua gang and asserting that he was detained solely because of a tattoo.
Controversy Over Migrants Sent to Guantanamo
Authorities have claimed that some of the immigrants sent to the naval base have ties to the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua, an allegation that has been disputed by the families of those detained. This includes the case of Tilso Gómez, a 37-year-old mechanic whose family denies any criminal activity, insisting that his tattoos were the only reason for his detention.
CBS News reports that the U.S. government has transferred at least a hundred Venezuelans to Guantanamo. However, it has not disclosed their identities or the legal framework under which they have been detained.
Reactions and Legal Ramifications
The DHS has defended the detentions, arguing that the immigrants have access to communicate with lawyers. However, families and human rights organizations have countered that they have been unable to contact the detainees. "If the ACLU is more focused on highly dangerous criminal migrants than on American citizens, they should reconsider their name," stated DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin in an email to the EFE agency.
These immigrants were not apprehended on the streets but were already in custody at detention centers in Texas, some for over five months, contradicting U.S. government claims that they were "taken off the streets." An EFE investigation found no criminal records in the U.S. linking three of the detainees to the Tren de Aragua.
The Trump administration has expressed intentions to transfer thousands of immigrants to Guantanamo, a move that, according to the plaintiffs, could establish a dangerous precedent. "Detaining immigrants at Guantanamo without access to lawyers or basic protections is a severe violation of their rights and an alarming abuse of governmental power," stated Rebecca Lightsey, co-director of American Gateways.
Lee Gelernt of the ACLU's Immigrants' Rights Project remarked, "By sending immigrants to a remote island, isolating them from lawyers and families, the government is showing disregard for the rule of law." The lawsuit emphasizes that Guantanamo has been used in the past for secret operations without accountability.
Besides the ACLU and the Center for Constitutional Rights, the lawsuit is supported by organizations like the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), Las Americas Immigrant Advocacy Center, RAICES, American Gateways, and Americans for Immigrant Justice.
Partial List of Detainees
The New York Times obtained a partial list of 53 immigrants transferred from a Texas detention center to a prison building at the Guantanamo Naval Base. The U.S. government has labeled them as "high-risk illegal aliens" or members of violent gangs, though concrete evidence has not been presented. Among the names on the list are:
Acosta Carreno, Yonniel Daniel. Alviares Armas, Jhonatan Alejandro. Azocar-Moreno, Alexandro. Bastidas Paz, Jhoan. Bellorin-Cardiel, Javier Alejandro. Bermudez Gamez, Jose. Briceno-Rojas, Adrian Jose. Cardozo Oliveros, Carlos. Castillo Rivera, Luis Alberto. Ceballos-Jemenez, Kleiber Eduardo. Chirino Torres, Jonathan. Chirinos Rodriguez, Edixon Leonel. Duarte-Marin, Allinzon. Duran-Arape, Mayfreed. Escalona Hernandez, Jefferson *. Esteira Medina, Misael Jose. Gomez Lugo, Tilso Ramon. Guerrero Mejias, Bryan Sleydher. Guevara-Varguillas, Sergio Gabriel. Guilarte, Oswal Yonaiker. Liendo-Liendo, Endry Jose. Lindado Mazo, Ricardo Jose. Marquez Sanchez, Jesus David. Medina Andrade, Jose Gregario. Mendez Canas, Freddy Javier. Mendez Ramos, Jesus Enrique. Montes Fernandez, Franyer. Mundaray-Salazar, Argelis Jose. Orelanna, Deiby Jose *. Oviedo-Hurtado, Brayan Alberto. Palma-Osorio, Carlos David. Paredes Salazar, Jose Alejandro. Prado Pirona, Jesus. Purroy Roldan, Yoiner Jose. Quintero Quintero, Yohanderson. Rios Salas, Luis Alberto. Rivas-Rivas, Lorwis Jose. Rivero Pinero, Brayan. Rodriguez Diaz, Kevin. Rodriguez Fermin, Rafael. Rojas Pena, Junior. Sanchez Vasquez, Junior. Sandovalascanio, Anthony Yosmar. Santana-Jara, Andres. Simancas Rodriguez, Jose. Sulbaran D’Avila, Erick Johan. Tiberio-Pacheco, Julio. Uvieda Machado, Alexis. Uzcategui Uzcaegui, Diuvar *. Velazquez-Penaloza, Julio Jose. Villasana Villegas, Douglas Jesus. Wullians Oropeza, Daimer. Yanes-Gonzalez, Ali Jose.
As of now, the situation of these migrants remains unresolved, and the plaintiff organizations continue to press for their guaranteed access to legal assistance and basic rights in their immigration process.
Key Questions About the Detention of Venezuelans in Guantanamo
What is the main legal challenge posed by the lawsuit?
The lawsuit challenges the lack of transparency regarding the detention conditions and the denial of legal access to the Venezuelan immigrants held at Guantanamo.
Why were some Venezuelans transferred to Guantanamo?
The U.S. authorities claim that some of the Venezuelan immigrants have connections to the transnational criminal organization Tren de Aragua, although this has been contested by their families.
What has been the response of human rights organizations?
Human rights organizations have criticized the detentions, arguing that they are a severe violation of the detainees' rights and an abuse of governmental power.