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Venezuelan man wrongfully deported reunites with family after nine months abroad

Jun 2026 · Chicago, IL, Venezuela

Venezuelan man wrongfully deported reunites with family after nine months abroad

José Enrique Ojeda Duarte, a Venezuelan immigrant and father of two, was arrested by ICE on September 15, 2025, during Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago while heading to work. He was held in detention centers across multiple states. Despite a federal judge ordering the release of 615 people detained in the operation in November 2025, Ojeda's deportation proceeded and he was removed to Venezuela on April 6, 2026. After two months, he returned to the U.S. in June 2026 following legal action by his attorneys, who successfully challenged the deportation as erroneous in federal court. He was reunited with his wife and two children.

Timeline

Sep 15, 2025José Enrique Ojeda Duarte arrested by ICE during Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago while heading to work
Sep 15, 2025Held in detention centers across Chicago, Indiana, Texas, and Arizona
Jun 2026Ojeda returned to United States after attorneys successfully challenged deportation in federal court as erroneous; reunited with wife and children after nine-month separation
Apr 6, 2026Ojeda deported to Venezuela
Nov 2025Federal judge ordered release of 615 people detained in Operation Midway Blitz; Ojeda's deportation proceeded despite court order

Sources

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