local
More than 100 Venezuelans who were deported from the US hours before the earthquakes are missing
By Gisela Salomon, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate)
· June 29, 2026
· 4 min read
More than 100 people just deported from the United States were being held in a hotel when earthquakes struck Venezuela, setting off a scramble to find survivors and bodies buried in the rubble, according to survivors.A deportation flight from Miami arrived in Venezuela hours before Wednesday's ea...
Key takeaway Lisbeth Portillo, 58, said she escaped the rubble from the hotel with about 20 other deportees who walked the streets looking for help.
Why this matters in The San Antonio
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela have brought attention to the plight of deportees from the US, including those who were sent back to their home country just hours before the disaster struck. For San Antonio , a city with a significant Hispanic population and a history of welcoming immigrants, this tragedy hits close to home. Many in the community have family ties or personal connections to Venezuela, and the news of over 100 missing deportees is likely to resonate deeply. As the city's residents watch the situation unfold, they may be reminded of the complex and often fraught nature of US immigration policies, which can have far-reaching and unintended consequences. The fact that deportation flights to Venezuela have resumed after a pause will likely spark debate and discussion in San Antonio about the humanitarian implications of such policies.
About this story
Original reporting by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . The San Antonio surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? More than 100 people just deported from the United States were being held in a hotel when earthquakes struck Venezuela, setting off a scramble to find survivors and bodies buried in the rubble, according to survivors.A deportation flight from Miami arrived in Venezuela hours before Wednesday's ea...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 29, 2026 by KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate) and curated for The San Antonio readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gisela Salomon, Associated Press at KSAT 12 (ABC affiliate). To learn more about how The San Antonio selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The San Antonio, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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