A Venezuelan man deported after arriving in Houston is at the center of a legal battle, as the U.S. government asks for more time to locate him following a judge’s order.
The U.S. government on Tuesday asked a federal judge in Houston for more time to locate Widmer Agelviz-Sanguino, a 24-year-old Venezuelan refugee reportedly deported after arriving at George Bush Intercontinental Airport last fall.
A judge had ordered the government to find him after a lawsuit alleged his deportation violated due process.
Agelviz-Sanguino, who was approved through the refugee resettlement program, was flagged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for tattoos officials claimed resembled those of Tren de Aragua, a Venezuelan gang. Javier Rivera's attorney said the tattoos are harmless and symbolic — a rose garden for his grandmother, an owl from childhood, and a clock representing memories.
Despite passing security screenings, Agelviz-Sanguino was refused entry and removed from the country. Rivera says the family last heard from him in mid-March and no official documentation confirmed his location.
A May 9 lawsuit against U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem argues that the deportation bypassed the legal court process. Rivera believes Agelviz-Sanguino may be in El Salvador’s CECOT prison, but the only evidence is a CBS News report listing deportees.
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