“Separated by Deportation: A Family’s Struggle Sheds Light on U.S. Migration Challenges”

37

Pedro Naranjo’s admiration for his father led him to join the Venezuelan air force as a helicopter pilot. Their close bond led them to flee to the United States together when the elder Naranjo faced potential imprisonment for his involvement in opposition activities against Nicolás Maduro’s government. However, they now find themselves separated due to the strains of the U.S. immigration system. Retired General Pedro Naranjo remains in legal limbo in the U.S., while his loyal son, a Venezuelan air force lieutenant, is in a Venezuelan military prison after being deported by the Biden administration in an effort to deter asylum-seekers from Venezuela.

In a phone interview from Houston, General Naranjo expressed his disbelief, stating that they never had a backup plan and never anticipated that the U.S., as a supporter of the Venezuelan opposition and advocate for human rights and freedom, would take such actions against his son.

The Venezuelan diaspora poses a significant migration challenge, which Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas are set to discuss in Mexico City. Last year, Mexico ended visa-free travel for Venezuelans, making it more challenging for those seeking asylum in the United States. This change led many Venezuelans to embark on treacherous journeys through the Darién Gap, resulting in over half a million migrants, mainly Venezuelans, crossing the border of Colombia and Panama this year.

Despite the resumption of U.S. deportation flights to Venezuela, which began in October, the influx of Venezuelans crossing the U.S. border illegally has not diminished. In October and November, Venezuelans were arrested over 85,000 times at the border, second only to Mexicans in terms of nationality.

Little information is available about the fate of those deported to Venezuela, raising concerns among critics and the Venezuelan exile community in South Florida. Independent Venezuelan American Citizens, a group in Miami, joined Representative Carlos Jimenez in condemning the younger Naranjo’s deportation. They made efforts to block the deportation but received no response from the White House. Ernesto Ackerman, a member of the group, likened the deportation to sending a U.S. drug agent into the hands of a drug cartel.

The deportation of Naranjo occurs amid U.S. efforts to improve relations with Caracas, including easing oil sanctions and granting a presidential pardon to a key Maduro ally. However, neither the White House nor U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has commented on the Naranjos’ situation.

The Naranjo family’s ordeal began in 2018 when General Naranjo was arrested for alleged involvement in a plot to assassinate Maduro and disrupt Venezuela’s presidential election. Despite denying his involvement, he was court-martialed on charges of rebellion and treason. In 2021, he suffered a stroke in prison during the pandemic and was allowed to complete his sentence at home under international pressure. Fearing a return to prison due to his co-defendants’ extended sentences, he decided to flee in late 2022, with his son accompanying him.

Their journey took them from Colombia to the United States, where they crossed the Rio Grande near Brownsville, Texas, and surrendered to the U.S. Border Patrol. Their illegal crossing subjected them to stricter standards for initial asylum screenings, as a rule implemented in May applied higher standards to those crossing illegally after passing through another country, such as Mexico.

Despite his appeals, Naranjo’s asylum request was rejected, and he lacked legal representation throughout the proceedings. The fate of other deserving Venezuelan asylum-seekers remains uncertain, as experts warn that they could face similar challenges.

The younger Naranjo, upon his return to Venezuela, was detained on desertion charges and is currently held in a military prison alongside government opponents. Migration experts anticipate that more Venezuelans deserving of asylum may face similar fates in the future.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Venezuelan Deportation

More about Venezuelan Deportation

• Venezuelan Deportations Raise Concerns – Reuters article on the challenges and concerns surrounding Venezuelan deportations.
• U.S. Immigration Policy Changes – The Washington Post’s coverage of policy changes affecting asylum-seekers, including Venezuelans.
• Venezuela’s Political Turmoil – BBC’s background on the political turmoil in Venezuela that has led to a significant diaspora.
• Venezuelan Deportation Statistics – Information on deportation flights to Venezuela from Witness at the Border, an advocacy group.
• U.S.-Venezuela Relations – Reuters article discussing recent developments in U.S.-Venezuela relations, including oil sanctions and negotiations.
• Asylum Grant Rates – Syracuse University’s report on asylum grant rates for different nationalities, including Venezuelans.