by Lisa RantalaTue, January 6, 2026 at 3:02 PMUpdated Wed, January 7, 2026 at 7:28 AMArturo Rafael Brito Goncalvez, a 22-year-old Venezuelan pilot, is fighting deportation after being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week. (Provided, used with permission)COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The family of Arturo Rafael Brito Goncalvez, a 22-year-old Venezuelan detainee in Ohio, is pleading for his safety as he faces deportation. Goncalvez, who fled Venezuela two years ago and applied for asylum in the U.S., was detained by ICE agents last month, miles from his family's Columbus apartment. He claims to have authorization to work in the U.S., a Social Security number, and a driver's license, with no criminal record. His family provided the various identification obtained by Goncalvez. ABC6 Investigates could not find any criminal cases against him in the central Ohio area."I try to be responsible in this country because I know it's not my country," Goncalvez told ABC6 Investigates by phone while housed in the Butler County Jail.Goncalvez said he fears returning to Venezuela, stating, "I can't go back to Venezuela."According to immigration paperwork provided by his family, ICE agents detained Goncalvez in 2023 at the Miami International Airport, saying he entered the country illegally. The Determination of Inadmissibility document states he did not have a valid VISA because he engaged in unauthorized employment on a previous visit.At the time, Goncalvez told agents he was targeted by the Venezuelan government, beaten as a teen, and shot at when he was 20.His sister, who spoke with ABC6 Investigates and wished to remain anonymous, recalled an attack, saying, "They tried to hit us (with their car) and they put a gun out of the window. It was a hard situation."Goncalvez's file continues to state he and his family supported the opposition and had their business seized by the government. He explained his grandfather's business employed 600 people who built homes and schools."I have to come (to the U.S.) because I was going to be killed or kidnapped," Goncalvez told ICE agents.At that time, records show the U.S. government determined Goncalvez has a "credible fear" which allowed him to stay in this country. Despite the arrest of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro over the weekend, Goncalvez's family remains fearful, citing ongoing dangers from others like the ousted leader.Goncalvez's hearing is scheduled for 1 p.m. Wednesday. His family has hired a lawyer to fight the deportation.