Jeferson Escalona, 19, a former Venezuelan police officer, was arrested by local Texas police in January 2025 for evading arrest and later detained by ICE. He was transferred through Guantanamo Bay to the Bluebonnet detention center, with DHS alleging gang ties based on hand gesture photos without evidence; Escalona denied the claims and sought voluntary return to Venezuela, which was denied. In late March 2025, he was among 17 Venezuelan men deported to El Salvador's CECOT prison, a move that occurred two days after a federal judge issued an order barring deportations of migrants to third countries without notice or a chance to contest removal. His attorney, with the ACLU, raised concerns about the government's allegations and said he was denied due process to challenge them before deportation.