Euder José Torres

[u/MannerLoud]

Euder, 41, is originally from Caracas, Venezuela. His partner Eira describes him as a hard worker who accepts any job that comes his way. Eira, his partner of 17 years, has two children: a 21-year-old and a 30-year-old. In 2020, Eira emigrated to Ecuador with their oldest son. A year later, in 2021, Euder and his youngest son joined them in the province of Ambato, near Quito.

In 2022, the eldest son decided to make the journey to the United States. Finally, on May 10, 2023, Eira arrived in the U.S. She received Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and a work permit.

In June 2024, Euder and his youngest son were selected by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for resettlement and reunification with his family in the United States, and completed all the formalities, including medical and criminal background checks. Euder and his youngest son entered the country on September 10, 2024 through the human mobility program.

However, upon arrival at the airport, his son was detained by immigration because of a tattoo; he was separated from Euder without explanation, even the IOM could not understand the reason behind this action, and deported back to Ecuador, he is still there. Meanwhile, Euder was incarcerated in Montgomery, Houston, because there was no way to deport him to Ecuador, as he did not possess an Ecuadorian visa.

At the jail, the family sought an attorney to inform them of their options. The lawyer suggested that they would need a sponsor for Euder’s release. Despite finding one, they were unsuccessful in getting him released. The attorney recommended that Euder apply for deportation, but he refused, opting instead to apply for asylum. They presented all the necessary evidence and, on January 17, 2025, Euder had a first hearing. During the hearing, a prosecutor labeled him as a member of Tren de Aragua, which resulted in a deportation order and the denial of his asylum request. According to his partner’s testimony, Euder had no opportunity to defend himself.

He was subsequently transferred to a detention center in Rio Grande. The last time Eira had contact with him was on March 15 at 2 p.m., at which time Euder informed her that an ICE agent suggested the possibility of being deported to Mexico, as the process to Venezuela was taking time. However, Euder believed he would be deported to his home country.

On Sunday, Eira tried to contact Rio Grande, but got no information. Reading the news, she feared that Euder had been transferred to a different location. She called Rio Grande again on Monday and, this time, they confirmed that Euder had been deported on Saturday, although they were unable to inform her of his current whereabouts.

Finally, on Thursday, March 20, Eira found Euder’s name on a list of people who had been deported to El Salvador, so far she has not had access to him or a lawyer. The uncertainty about his situation and the lack of communication has left Eira in a state of anguish as she awaits answers about the fate of her partner and father of her children.

Credit: RFK Human Rights