The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has refuted claims made by the Venezuelan government regarding the separation of a child from her parents. Venezuela alleged that the U.S. government was responsible for “kidnapping” the minor, but DHS asserts this is untrue.
According to a DHS statement, the action taken was necessitated by the fact that both parents are connected to the violent Tren de Aragua (TdA) gang.
Specifically, authorities identified the child’s father, Maiker Espinoza-Escalona, as a lieutenant within TdA. His alleged criminal activities include overseeing homicides, drug sales, kidnappings, extortion, sex trafficking, and operating a torture facility. The mother, Yorely Escarleth Bernal Inciarte, is accused of recruiting young women for involvement in drug smuggling and prostitution.
“These individuals entered the country illegally and had previously received final removal orders from an immigration judge,” DHS stated.
To ensure the child’s safety, she was removed from a deportation flight manifest through coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services. Currently, the child is under the care and custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement and has been placed with a foster family.
DHS emphasized standard procedure: “Parents are given the option to be deported alongside their children, or ICE will arrange for placement with an individual designated by the parent.” In this instance, DHS reports that the parents indicated they wished to be removed together.
The department expressed gratitude to former President Trump for facilitating the removal of TdA gang members.
“President Trump and Secretary Noem are deeply committed to protecting children and will continue collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services to safeguard them from abuse, exploitation, and trafficking,” the statement read.
DHS also criticized previous administrations for allowing unaccompanied minors entering the country to be placed with sponsors who were allegedly involved in smuggling and sex trafficking.
“Within their first 100 days, Secretary Noem and Secretary Kennedy have successfully reunited over 5,000 unaccompanied children with relatives or safe guardians,” DHS highlighted.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin recently addressed concerns raised by media outlets regarding the deportation of a two-year-old U.S. citizen on “The Big Weekend Show.” She clarified that the mother was presented with the choice to return to Honduras with both children.
“This is standard practice, and it demonstrates our commitment to the safety and well-being of these children. We’ve implemented additional safeguards, including biometric testing and DNA verification, to confirm the identity of children and ensure they are genuinely related to guardians or parents, given the alarming instances of drug mules, human traffickers, and sex traffickers exploiting migrant children for their own malicious purposes.”
DHS has strengthened protocols to prevent exploitation of vulnerable children within the immigration system.
