More than 140 people were deported from the United States to Venezuela on June 24, the day twin earthquakes of magnitude 7.2 and 7.5 struck the country, leaving survivors in the rubble of a hotel in La Guaira.

The United States conducted 12 deportation flights to Venezuela in May, according to the ICE Flight Monitor, an initiative of Human Rights First. The flights carried 146 Venezuelans, including 19 women and seven children, many of whom were taken to a hotel in La Guaira that collapsed during the quakes.

Survivors reported escaping the hotel debris and walking several kilometers to seek assistance. Lisbeth Portillo said she fled the rubble with about 20 others, describing the tremors and the sounds of people calling for help. Jenny Rodriguez, who was on the same flight, recounted being trapped under debris and freeing a colleague before escaping. Both said they reached a National Guard facility where they could contact relatives. The Venezuelan government reported more than 1,700 deaths from the earthquakes across the country.

ICE did not respond to inquiries for comment. Advocacy groups have noted concerns that the timing of the deportations may have complicated rescue efforts, though no official statement has linked the flights to the disaster.

The search for survivors continues, and the United States has not disclosed whether any of the deportees were among the reported casualties.