local
More than 100 Venezuelans who were deported from the US hours before the earthquakes are missing
By Gisela Salomon, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston)
· 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 Sugar Land News
The devastating earthquakes in Venezuela have a direct connection to the Houston area, given the large Venezuelan population in the region. Many residents in Sugar Land and surrounding areas have family ties to Venezuela, and the news of over 100 deportees missing after the earthquakes is likely to resonate deeply with the local community. The fact that these individuals were deported from the US just hours before the disaster strikes a chord, especially considering the significant Venezuelan diaspora in the Houston metropolitan area. As the community comes to terms with the tragedy, local organizations and churches with ties to Venezuela may play a crucial role in providing support and resources to those affected by the earthquakes, including families of the missing deportees. The situation also highlights the complexities of US immigration policies and their far-reaching consequences, which are likely to be a topic of discussion and concern among local residents.
About this story
Original reporting by KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) . Sugar Land News 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 KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 29, 2026 ·
Source: KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) ·
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 KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston) and curated for Sugar Land News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Gisela Salomon, Associated Press at KPRC 2 Houston (NBC / Click2Houston). To learn more about how Sugar Land News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Sugar Land News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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