Robert Elista Jimenez

Robert Elista Jiminez came to the US in 2023. He is now in CECOT in El Salvador.

Coming to the US

Robert Elista Jiminez came to the US with his wife and cousin’s family because they were worried about violence, oppression, and the economy. They felt the trek through the jungles would be worth it. Jiminez’s wife, who has asked to be unnamed due to fear of immigration authorities, said, “You leave your country because of so many things happening with the government, with criminals. You’re worse off here…I used to say ‘The United States, the best country in the world, the laws are followed there.’” Jiminez worked at a remodeling company while living in the US.

Detention and expulsion

On January 28, while driving with his cousin, Laya Freites, Federal immigration officials took both men to a private ICE facility 5 miles from where they lived. After being held there for a month, the two men were transferred to Laredo, TX where they told their wives they were being deported to Venezuela. Instead they are now confirmed to be in CECOT.

What can you do?

• Continue to put pressure on your representatives to demand the release of Jiminez and other deportees who received no due process afforded to them by the US Constitution before deportation to El Salvador: Click here to find your State Representative; Click here to find your Senator.

• Check back here for updates as available