Fear of ICE: Venezuelan Immigrant Returns Home, Leaving Brother Behind in El Salvador Prison

Fear of ICE Drives Venezuelan Immigrant's Return Home Maracaibo, Venezuela—Jonferson Valera Yamarte's American Dream turned into a nightmare. After arriving in the US in 2023 seeking a better life, he witnessed the deportation of his brother, Merwin, to El Salvador's CECOT maximum-security prison. This prompted Jonferson to return to Venezuela. "I was going to work in fear," he stated in an interview. The Trump administration's deportation of Venezuelan citizens to El Salvador has raised concerns about due process and the safety of those deported. Merwin's family claims he was arrested for having tattoos, a claim disputed by the administration. Jonferson's return is a poignant example of the anxieties faced by immigrants. The video shows his emotional reunion with his family, who greeted him with hugs and tears of joy. His mother, Mercedes, expressed her happiness at Jonferson's return but remains anxious about Merwin's situation. His sister-in-law, Jaaneelys Parra, expressed her longing for Merwin's return and her fear for his safety. Jonferson's story highlights the complexities of immigration and the human cost of these policies. While he found safety in returning home, the uncertainty surrounding his brother's fate remains a stark reminder of the challenges faced by many immigrant families.