Yoiker Sequera was among the close to 180 Venezuelans the Trump administration initially flew to the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, a facility better known for having held those suspected of plotting the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
The administration has claimed that immigrants being detained at Guantanamo are the “worst of the worst” kinds of criminals. Government officials have not provided evidence to support this claim. Records show Sequera has no criminal charges except for his illegal entry into the U.S.
Officials have also not released information about the identities of the people sent to Guantanamo or why they are being detained at that site. That lack of transparency is leaving families and lawyers in the dark.
Sequera was held at Guantanamo for nearly two weeks before being deported to Venezuela.
In an interview with ProPublica, Sequera’s mother, Angela, reflects on finding out her son had been sent to the infamous prison and the effects it had on her. “Pain, anguish, despair. As a mother, that is what I feel,” she said.