EL PASO, Texas — This week, three immigrants who had secured a restraining order against the federal government to prevent their relocation to Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba were deported back to Venezuela, as indicated by court documents released on Friday.

These individuals were sent back on Monday, just one day after a federal judge had issued a temporary injunction against any potential transfer to Guantanamo. Currently, flights transporting Venezuelan immigrants are occurring daily from a military facility situated in El Paso, Texas, as part of the immigration enforcement measures instigated by the Trump administration.

The attorneys representing the deported individuals claim that their clients faced unfounded allegations of involvement with gangs, which could put their safety at significant risk upon their return. “The government’s groundless claims that two of the immigrants are linked to the notorious Tren de Aragua gang raises serious concerns regarding their safety and freedom when they arrive back in Venezuela,” stated Jessica Myers Vosburgh, an attorney from the Center for Constitutional Rights, in front of a federal judge.

In a separate legal effort, immigrant rights organizations have initiated a lawsuit seeking access to individuals who have been transported to Guantanamo Bay, many of whom have done so without the benefit of legal representation or the ability to communicate with family members.

For a multitude of Venezuelans, fleeing the nation has become a necessity, driven by an intense political and economic crisis under the regime of President Nicolás Maduro. A significant number of these individuals have sought refuge in various regions throughout Latin America or have made their way to the United States.

The Tren de Aragua gang has its roots in a notorious prison in the Aragua state of Venezuela and has been in existence for over ten years, highlighting the challenges faced by returnees who may find themselves entangled in criminal associations upon their arrival.