Luis Carlos Jose Marcano Silva
Coming to the US
Luis Carlos Jose Marcano Silva was forced to leave his home when Venezuela descended into a political, economic and humanitarian crisis. He and his partner left with their two young children in November, 2023, crossing over the Rio Grande into the US. They had worked hard to save $7,000 for the journey, traveling 4,700 miles. They were extorted by a smuggling gang and released after paying $900. They applied for asylum and settled in Florida where they have been living and working for nearly two years. They experienced no issues in the immigration system.
In January of 2024 the family attended an immigration appointment at which time the court scheduled a hearing for February 27, 2025.
Detained and Disappeared
Luis received a letter from ICE’s Tampa office asking that he show up at court on February 5. When he did so, he was detained. He was taken to a federal prison in Miami and then transferred to Texas. In addition to tattoos of his daughter’s names and an image of Jesus Christ’s face on his torso, Luis also has a crown tattoo on his chest with the phrase “One Life” which his attorney said likely led to his detainment.
Luis called his mother from a detention center in Texas on March 14, 2025 to wish her happy birthday. He called a second time that day to let her know he was being deported to Venezuela. He had been living in the US for a year and a half with Temporary Protected Status having applied for asylum. He has not been charged with any crimes during that time. His wife and two daughters, aged eight and three, had entered with him and he was concerned they would be left behind. His wife and mother have not heard from him since then. His name was on the list of men disappeared to CECOT.
Luis has ever been charged with a crime in the US.
https://www.miaminewtimes.com/news/was-a-venezuelan-man-in-florida-deported-over-a-tattoo-22711978
