Edson Manrique

Edson Manrique

From CATO;

https://www.cato.org/sites/cato.org/files/2025-05/ProfilesVenezuelansFinal.pdf

E.M. (as identified in court documents but assumed to be Edson Manrique) entered the United States legally in January 2025 after being authorized abroad to travel as a refugee to the United States. After fleeing Venezuela in 2021, he and his girlfriend worked in Colombia selling food and making deliveries while awaiting progress on their refugee status application. After several months and various background checks, including an interview in September 2024 where Edson disclosed his tattoos, they were granted refugee status and traveled to the US. Upon arriving in Houston, he was again asked about his tattoos and subsequently detained. • Evidence of supposed gang membership: He has tattoos. His girlfriend of five years said, “It’s unfair to criminalize every Venezuelan. Having a tattoo or being born in Aragua doesn’t make you a member of a criminal gang.” Edson did not have a criminal record in Venezuela or Colombia.

MIAMI HERALD: https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/immigration/article302464134.html