A Venezuelan immigrant working as a delivery driver has mysteriously disappeared after accidentally crossing the U.S.-Canada border while delivering McDonald’s in Detroit.
What began as a simple mistake has now turned into a worrying situation for his family and friends.
How It All Started: A Wrong Turn in Detroit
Ricardo Prada Vásquez, 32, was working for Uber Eats when he accidentally drove onto the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit in January 2025.
This bridge connects the United States and Canada, and somehow, Ricardo mistakenly crossed into Canada.
When he tried to re-enter the U.S., U.S. authorities detained him at the border. He reportedly told a friend later that he had been moved to a detention center in Texas and was expecting to be deported back to Venezuela on March 15.
What Happened Next?
Things took an even more confusing turn when the Trump administration flew three planes filled with detainees from Texas to a high-security prison in El Salvador. Since then, Ricardo has not been heard from.
His family and friends have no idea where he is. They haven’t been able to contact him, and his name is not on any official lists of Venezuelans who were deported to El Salvador. He also was not seen in any videos showing the detainees’ arrival there.
Christine Sauve, communications coordinator for the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, told the Detroit Free Press:
“One wrong turn at the Detroit bridge can result in your loved one disappearing. And that shouldn’t be the case.”
Immigration Experts Raise Alarms
Many experts and advocates are concerned. Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, wrote:
“ICE appears to have disappeared Ricardo Prada Vásquez. They admit he was deported, but won’t say where.”
He described the situation as “terrifying” and said it feels like Ricardo has fallen into a black hole, with no clear information from the government.
Experts argue that this is not how a country committed to the rule of law should operate — leaving families without answers or accountability.
Government Response: Why Was Ricardo Detained?
Later, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a statement. They said Ricardo was detained because he was allegedly confirmed as a member of Tren de Aragua (TdA), a violent Venezuelan gang.
According to DHS:
- Ricardo was labeled a public safety threat.
- He violated the conditions of his admission into the U.S.
- On February 27, an immigration judge ordered him to be deported.
- He was removed to El Salvador on March 15, according to their records.
Despite this explanation, Ricardo’s family and immigrant rights groups remain deeply concerned because they still have no confirmation of his location or his well-being.