Venezuelan Man Deported to El Salvador Under 1798 Alien Enemies Act
Family Demands Answers After Son’s Asylum Hearing Was Canceled
A Venezuelan asylum seeker, Esquivel Jonaquiel Penaloza, was deported to El Salvador after the Trump administration invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, raising concerns over due process violations and diplomatic tensions.
Penaloza’s mother, Idalis Chirino Polanco, said her son left Venezuela in September 2024 to seek political asylum in the U.S. He had a court date scheduled for April 18th, but on February 8th, he was arrested and later deported without a hearing.
“We went to record a video with some friends, and that’s when the government ICE agents arrived by helicopter. They detained them in North Carolina and transferred him to a correctional facility,” Polanco explained.
From Detention to Deportation Without Explanation
Witnesses say Penaloza was initially taken to a detention facility in Raymondville, Texas, where he was informed he was being flown back to Venezuela. However, his family later learned that he had been sent to El Salvador instead.
“Then yesterday, we found out they had sent him to El Salvador,” Polanco said.
Legal & Diplomatic Questions Surround Deportation
The use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, a rarely invoked law, has sparked concerns over legal protections for asylum seekers. The act allows the president to remove non-citizens from a country with which the U.S. is in conflict.
Critics argue that the lack of due process in these deportations is troubling.
“The fact of due process is a very important American principle, which states that you cannot be found guilty without an opportunity for a hearing. The same should apply to asylum seekers. The fact that they were willing to remove someone with a claim without a hearing is concerning,” one advocate stated.
Mother Pleads for Son’s Safe Return
Penaloza’s mother insists her son is not a criminal and was only seeking a better future.
“He’s a very kind-hearted young man. It’s not just because I’m his mother—anyone who knows him can confirm what I’m saying about him,” Polanco said.
Now, she is demanding answers from U.S., Salvadoran, and Venezuelan officials regarding her son’s well-being and calling for his safe return to his family.
What Happens Next?
- It remains unclear why asylum seekers from Venezuela were deported to El Salvador instead of their home country.
- U.S. officials have not yet commented on the reasoning behind the deportation or the legal status of those affected.
- Advocacy groups are urging the administration to reconsider cases where asylum seekers were removed without hearings.
For immigration-related concerns or legal assistance, contact:
📞 American Immigration Council – (202) 507-7500
📞 National Immigration Law Center – (213) 639-3900
As this story develops, concerns over international relations and asylum protections continue to grow, leaving many families in limbo.
