Venezuelan community in Miami demands congressional action over ICE arrests
A Venezuelan man with a valid work permit and pending asylum was detained by ICE in Doral, prompting local exile groups to press South Florida lawmakers for answers before the midterm elections.
While commuting to his job in Doral, Humberto Castro, a 59-year-old Venezuelan with a work permit valid until 2030 and a pending asylum application, was pulled over and handcuffed by ICE agents, according to his daughter Arianna. The incident adds to a wave of arrests of Venezuelan immigrants in South Florida, many of whom have no criminal records. Exile groups Venezuelans Persecuted for Political Reasons in Exile (Veppex) and Voice and Expression (Amavex) have sent a detailed report to members of Congress calling for an inquiry into the detentions, highlighting that ICE custody includes a high proportion of individuals without criminal histories.
Their demands include congressional oversight hearings, mandatory publication of detainee statistics, a GAO audit of airport arrests, and case-by-case reviews to seek alternatives to detention. Despite some sympathetic statements from legislators, the organizations claim no representative has formally acknowledged the report. The issue is gaining urgency as the midterm elections approach, with the Venezuelan community seeking concrete policy changes rather than mere statements.
Why it matters
The arrests raise concerns about due process for asylum seekers and pressure lawmakers to address immigration enforcement before upcoming elections.
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