The detention of Colombian activist Franklin Humberto Coral Garrido, known publicly as Beto Coral, has generated concern among human rights organizations, legislators and migrant advocates, after US authorities confirmed that he remains in immigration custody while a deportation process progresses, despite having a pending asylum application and a valid work permit.

Coral was arrested this week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Arizona. The case has gained international relevance due to complaints about a possible political motivation behind the detention and the risk that, according to his defenders, he would face if he were sent back to Colombia.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that the activist will remain detained while immigration procedures continue. The agency maintained that Coral remained in the United States after the expiration of his visa and classified him as a person who is in the country without current immigration authorization.

However, organizations that have accompanied his legal process assure that the Colombian maintained an active asylum request based on alleged death threats, intimidation and political persecution suffered in his country of origin.

Organizations warn about risks to their security

The organization Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA), which has supported Coral's case since 2020, expressed concern about the consequences the activist could face if he were deported. Gimena Sánchez, director for the Andean Region of WOLA, noted that Coral has been the subject of threats due to her political positions and warned that her return to Colombia could represent a significant danger to her physical integrity.

The organization sent a letter to Colombia's ambassador to the United States, Daniel García-Peña Jaramillo, requesting urgent diplomatic intervention. The requests include a consular visit to the detention center where Coral remains and formal consultations with the State Department to clarify whether that agency had any participation in the arrest warrant.

The request arose after it emerged that one of the agents involved in the arrest had mentioned that the order supposedly came from entities linked to the State Department. So far, that agency has not issued public comments on the accusation.

Questions grow about possible political motivations

The controversy increased because the arrest occurred a few days after Coral participated in a political protest held in Miami and spread through social networks. The demonstration was directed against the right-wing Colombian presidential candidate, Abelardo de la Espriella.

Hours before the arrest was announced, De la Espriella published a message on social networks in which he made reference to the visa revocation policies promoted by US officials. Although he did not directly mention Coral, the message was interpreted by some sectors as a political signal related to the case.

The situation also provoked reactions in Washington. Democratic Congressman Jim McGovern said he was deeply concerned about the detention of the Colombian activist, recalling that Coral is an asylum seeker and that, while her case is pending, she has procedural rights that must be respected.

McGovern called for transparency about the circumstances of the arrest and expressed concern about allegations of possible coordination between Colombian political actors and US officials. If such allegations are proven, he warned, it could be a case of transnational repression.

While diplomatic and legal efforts continue, Coral remains held in an immigration detention center awaiting new decisions from the US authorities. His case adds to a growing debate about the limits of immigration policies, the protection of asylum seekers and guarantees of due process in the United States.