Migrants Transferred to El Salvador Prison Based on Tattoos, Lawyer Claims
A lawyer alleges that their client, a Venezuelan migrant, was transferred from the U.S. to a mega-prison in El Salvador primarily based on visible tattoos. The transfer was part of a larger operation where the U.S. government sent 238 Venezuelan migrants to the Salvadoran facility. While authorities claim these individuals are gang members, a recent investigation found a significant lack of criminal records for many of them, raising concerns about the basis for their detention and transfer.
U.S. authorities have stated that all the migrants transferred are suspected gang members. However, a recent investigation by 60 Minutes revealed that no criminal records could be found for 75 percent of these individuals. This finding casts doubt on the justification for their detention and subsequent transfer to El Salvador.
The lawyer's claim highlights the potential for misidentification and the reliance on superficial characteristics like tattoos in determining gang affiliation. The situation raises serious questions about due process and the rights of migrants facing deportation or transfer to foreign prisons. Concerns are also growing about the conditions within the Salvadoran mega-prison, which has been criticized for its overcrowded and harsh environment.
Source: Read the original article at CBS