Immigrants detained at Bluebonnet detention centre in Anson, Texas, created an S-O-S signal visible from above this week.
Thirty-one men arranged themselves to form the letters whilst a Reuters drone captured footage on Monday.
Previously, numerous Venezuelan detainees received notices from immigration officials suggesting their involvement with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, making them eligible for deportation under wartime legislation, as evidenced by documents, video calls and court records.
Seven detainees’ families spoke to Reuters, denying gang affiliations and confirming their relatives refused to sign the documents.
On Friday, April 18, authorities attempted to transport them to Abilene Regional Airport, but the journey was interrupted and they returned to the facility.
The Supreme Court subsequently issued a temporary halt to deportations, with the Department of Homeland Security offering no comment on the situation.
The Venezuelans at Bluebonnet remain at risk of transfer to CECOT, El Salvador’s high-security prison, where 137 Venezuelans were previously sent under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
The privately-operated Bluebonnet facility, situated 200 miles west of Dallas, houses approximately 846 detainees daily in fiscal year 2025. Reuters captured aerial photographs after being denied direct access, revealing some detainees in red high-risk uniforms.
Reuters identified several detainees, including Diover Millan, 24, and Jeferson Escalona, 19. Millan, transferred from Georgia’s Stewart detention centre, lacks a criminal record despite officials claiming gang membership without evidence.
Escalona, detained since January 2025, denies gang involvement, stating he served as a police officer in Venezuela. He believes authorities misinterpreted common Venezuelan hand gestures in photos on his confiscated phone.
Despite requesting voluntary return to Venezuela, Escalona remains detained, expressing fears for his safety.
Recent years have seen numerous Venezuelans seeking refuge in the United States, escaping economic hardship and alleged authoritarian measures under President Nicolas Maduro. The Trump administration aims to revoke temporary humanitarian protections established during Joe Biden’s presidency.
