E.M. and his girlfriend fled persecution in their native Venezuela in 2021 and dreamed of making a new life in the United States.

Venezuela’s leader has described the deportation of more than 200 migrants sent by the United States to a notorious mega-prison in El Salvador as a “kidnapping,” and denied they are criminals while backing calls for their return.

Many of the men, including Jerce Barrios, have no criminal records, and some gang membership allegations are falling apart.