Krishnamoorthi Warns DHS Against Third-Country Deportations to Venezuela, Citing Risk of “Another CECOT” and Grave Human Rights Abuses

WASHINGTON - Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding that DHS categorically rule out Venezuela as a destination for third-country deportations and halt any actions that would place vulnerable people into conditions of danger, lawlessness, or abuse.

Krishnamoorthi opened the letter by warning that recent public statements from the administration raise the alarming possibility that DHS may be contemplating Venezuela for third-country removals:

"I write out of profound concern regarding the Department of Homeland Security's expanding use of third-country deportations and the alarming possibility that Venezuela may be contemplated as a destination for such transfers. In the wake of public statements by President Trump asserting that the United States is now 'in charge' of Venezuela, the risk that this administration may seek to treat Venezuela as a third country deportations destination cannot be ignored. DHS must not proceed down that path."

The Congressman detailed how DHS has increasingly deported people to countries where they are not citizens and often have no ties, frequently without due process:

"Over the past year, DHS has increasingly deported immigrants to multiple third countries, nations where these individuals are not citizens and often have no ties. Many of those sent away were asylum seekers and had no criminal convictions and were removed without meaningful due process or clear explanation."

Pointing to recent precedent, Krishnamoorthi cited the mass deportations to El Salvador and the consequences of outsourcing U.S. immigration enforcement to countries in crisis:

"In March 2025, the U.S. government deported hundreds of people to El Salvador, including many who had no criminal record, without giving them a fair chance to challenge their deportation. Many of these individuals were sent to a dangerous mega-prison called CECOT."

He warned that repeating this model in Venezuela would be even more dangerous and unlawful:

"Sending people to a place where they are likely to be harmed violates basic human rights and raises serious questions about whether the government followed U.S. law and its duty not to send people into danger. Any effort to replicate this model in Venezuela would be even more dangerous."

Citing U.S. government travel warnings and binding legal obligations, Krishnamoorthi made clear that Venezuela cannot be treated as a lawful destination for removals:

"The U.S. Department of State continues to warn Americans not to travel to Venezuela, citing the risk of wrongful detention, torture, kidnapping, and arbitrary enforcement of local laws - underscoring that this is no place to send people. Deporting individuals-many of whom fled persecution, political repression, or economic collapse-into a country the United States itself deems unsafe would expose them to grave risk. Venezuela is not a safe third country. It lacks the legal framework, institutional capacity, and humanitarian infrastructure necessary to receive third-country deportees."

Krishnamoorthi concluded by urging DHS to halt any such actions immediately and provide full transparency to Congress:

"The transfers to countries such as El Salvador should serve as a warning-not a blueprint. DHS must not repeat or expand policies that knowingly place people into conditions of danger, lawlessness, or abuse. The United States cannot allow Venezuela to become the next CECOT-or treat an entire country as an improvised immigration detention facility."

The letter is available here.