A group of detainees at the Bluebonnet immigration detention center in Anson, Texas, sent an urgent signal of distress on April 28, forming the letters "S-O-S" in the facility's yard. This act of protest followed an alarming situation where dozens of Venezuelan detainees were told they faced deportation under the wartime Alien Enemies Act due to alleged ties with the Tren de Aragua gang. The detainees, however, have denied these accusations.
On April 18, 2025, the group of Venezuelans were briefly placed on a bus to Abilene Regional Airport for deportation, but the plan was halted after the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked their removal. These individuals now fear being sent to El Salvador's notorious CECOT prison if the Supreme Court lifts the block. The Bluebonnet facility, operated by a private company under contract with ICE, houses an average of 846 detainees daily.
Some detainees, like Diover Millan, 24, and Jeferson Escalona, 19, have disputed claims of gang affiliation. Millan was transferred to Bluebonnet from Georgia in mid-April, and Escalona was detained in January after an arrest in Texas. While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) claims these men are affiliated with the Tren de Aragua gang, no evidence has been provided to support the accusations.
The detainees have expressed fear of potential deportation to El Salvador and have been struggling with inadequate food and the uncertainty surrounding their cases. Many detainees have asylum hearings pending. The families of the detainees have raised concerns about the conditions and treatment at the facility, which they describe as dire.
In response, the facility's operator stated that detainees receive meals that meet nutritional standards, while DHS emphasized its commitment to humane treatment and legal compliance in managing detention centers. The situation remains tense as the detainees wait for clarity on their future and legal status.
Reference:
Cooke, Kristina. Hesson, Ted. “Detained Venezuelan immigrants worry about being sent to Salvadoran prison” Reuters. April 30, 2025.
