Over 100 Venezuelans deported from the US hours before deadly earthquakes are missing

Over 100 Venezuelans Deported from the U.S. as Earthquakes Strike

Over 100 Venezuelans deported from the US - Over 100 Venezuelans deported from the U.S. were caught in the chaos of Wednesday’s devastating earthquakes, with survivors reporting that the group had been staying at a hotel when seismic activity struck. The timing of the deportation flight, which landed in Venezuela just hours before the tremors began, raised questions about the connection between the mass removal of immigrants and the disaster. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Flight Monitor, a program by Human Rights First, confirmed that 146 individuals, including 19 women and seven children, were sent back to the country. The event has sparked discussions about the impact of immigration policies on vulnerable populations during emergencies.

Deportation Details and Immediate Crisis

The deportees were transported to a facility in La Guaira, where they were processed for their return to Venezuela. Officials had assured them they would be sent home within 24 hours, but the promise was quickly disrupted by a series of powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale. These tremors caused widespread damage, trapping some of the deportees in collapsed buildings and leaving others stranded. The lack of communication and the sudden nature of the disaster forced families to scramble for safety, with many unsure of their loved ones’ whereabouts.

Survivors' Accounts of the Earthquake Tragedy

Survivors like Lisbeth Portillo, 58, shared harrowing stories of their escape from the rubble. “We walked about five kilometers, and I cried and cried … there was no communication,” Portillo said in a phone interview from her Maracaibo home, describing the scene as people emerged from the wreckage, some naked and others barefoot. The trauma of the experience was compounded by the fact that many of the deportees had only recently left the U.S., where they had hoped for a better future. “I was born again; God gave me a second chance,” she added, her voice trembling with emotion. “I am traumatized,” she emphasized, reflecting on the loss of her children’s phone number and the uncertainty of her return.

"I said to him, 'Cesar, I’m alive. Help me.' And my husband kept saying, 'It can’t be,'” Portillo recounted, her tone laced with disbelief. “I made it out of the rubble, I’m alive,” she reiterated, highlighting the emotional toll of the disaster. Her husband’s disbelief underscores the shock of the situation, as families were separated by the very act of deportation and the subsequent earthquake.

Government Response and Deportation Trends

While the Venezuelan government shared a video of deportees arriving at Caracas airport, the immediate aftermath of the earthquakes revealed a different reality. Many of the deportees, like Portillo, had been in the U.S. for years, seeking asylum amid Venezuela’s economic and political crises. The May 2025 deportation figures, which include 12 flights to Venezuela and 288 flights to 38 countries, reflect a renewed focus on removing immigrants en masse under the Trump administration’s policies. This trend has intensified in recent months, with some deportees left in precarious situations just days before a natural disaster.

Aftermath and Community Impact

Following the earthquakes, community leaders and humanitarian organizations have called for immediate assistance for the affected deportees. The events have highlighted the fragility of the immigrant population in Venezuela, who often lack resources to prepare for emergencies. Many deportees, including children, were left without shelter or support, raising concerns about the adequacy of the government’s response. While some managed to reunite with family members in the U.S., others are still missing, with the search for survivors continuing in the days after the disaster.

"The earthquake struck while we were still in the process of adjusting to life in Venezuela," said one survivor, who had been deported two months prior. "It was as if the country was testing our resilience." This sentiment echoes the broader experience of many immigrants, who face not only the challenges of displacement but also the unpredictability of natural disasters.

Connecting Deportation and Disaster

The timing of the deportation flight has led to speculation about the potential link between immigration policies and the country’s vulnerability to disasters. With over 100 Venezuelans deported in a single day, the government’s efforts to repatriate individuals coincide with the region’s recent seismic activity. While officials have not directly connected the two events, the coincidence has sparked debates about the role of immigration in disaster preparedness. Survivors argue that the deportees, who had been living in the U.S. for years, were better equipped to handle emergencies, leaving their families in Venezuela to bear the brunt of the crisis.

"If they had been here longer, they might have had more resources to prepare," said a local activist, adding that the deportation of immigrants during critical times could exacerbate the challenges faced by the host country. This perspective underscores the importance of considering the timing and context of immigration policies in relation to environmental and social factors.