Kilmar Ábrego García, 29, was mistakenly deported from the U.S. to El Salvador in March 2025 despite a court order barring his removal.
In a case that has sparked outrage across the U.S. and El Salvador, Kilmar Ábrego García—a Salvadoran immigrant wrongfully deported from the United States—has filed new court documents detailing harrowing torture and abuse suffered inside El Salvador’s notorious CECOT mega-prison. The legal and human rights battle surrounding Ábrego García continues to escalate as fresh evidence and firsthand accounts come to light.
Key Point Summary
- Kilmar Ábrego García, 29, was mistakenly deported from the U.S. to El Salvador in March 2025 despite a court order barring his removal.
- Upon arrival at CECOT prison, Ábrego García alleges he endured severe beatings, sleep deprivation, inadequate nutrition, and psychological torture.
- His attorneys have filed new legal documents with graphic details of the abuse, seeking to block further deportation and secure his release from U.S. custody.
- The U.S. government acknowledges the deportation was an error but continues to pursue criminal charges against Ábrego García related to alleged human smuggling.
- The case highlights ongoing concerns about due process, immigration enforcement, and human rights protections.
Torture Allegations: Inside CECOT Prison
The latest court filings from Ábrego García’s legal team paint a grim picture of his time at CECOT, El Salvador’s maximum-security facility notorious for its harsh conditions and alleged human rights abuses. According to the documents, Ábrego García was:
- Beaten repeatedly by prison officers, especially when attempting to raise his head or speak.
- Subjected to severe sleep deprivation and forced to change clothes rapidly under threat of violence.
- Denied adequate food and nutrition, leading to a 31-pound weight loss in just two weeks.
- Endured psychological torture, including threats from guards who told inmates, “Whoever enters here doesn’t leave.”
- Kicked, struck, and humiliated during intake procedures, with visible injuries to his head, arms, and legs.
These allegations are supported by a detailed 40-page legal filing, which also describes the moment he was forcibly removed from the plane upon arrival in El Salvador and immediately shackled and abused.
Legal Battle Over Wrongful Deportation
Ábrego García’s ordeal began when he was detained in Maryland in March 2025. Despite a 2019 court order protecting him from deportation to El Salvador due to credible fears of gang persecution, U.S. authorities removed him after alleging he was affiliated with MS-13—a claim he and his family strongly deny.
Following his month-long imprisonment and abuse at CECOT, Ábrego García was returned to the U.S. in June 2025. He now faces federal charges of human smuggling, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys argue that the charges were only raised after his wrongful removal and that he poses no flight risk or threat to the community.
The U.S. government has admitted in court that his deportation violated the standing immigration court order. However, officials continue to resist demands for his release, citing ongoing criminal proceedings.
Ongoing Fallout and Calls for Justice
The case has drawn condemnation from human rights advocates and lawmakers, who argue that Ábrego García’s experience exposes systemic failures in U.S. immigration enforcement and the dangers faced by deportees in countries with poor human rights records.
His legal team is seeking to amend their lawsuit to include the latest evidence of torture and to prevent any further attempts at deportation. They stress that the government’s actions have caused “significant harm” and demand accountability for what they describe as “blatant, willful, and ongoing violations of court orders.”
Table: Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| March 2025 | Ábrego García detained in Maryland, deported to El Salvador |
| March–April 2025 | Imprisoned at CECOT, subjected to alleged torture |
| June 2025 | Returned to the U.S., faces human smuggling charges |
| July 2025 | New legal filings detail abuse, fight for release continues |
The Road Ahead for Kilmar Ábrego García
As of July 3, 2025, Ábrego García remains in federal custody in the United States. His attorneys continue to push for his release and for the government to be held accountable for his wrongful deportation and the abuses he suffered. The case is being closely watched by immigration advocates, legal experts, and policymakers as a test of due process and human rights protections for vulnerable immigrants.
Stay tuned for further updates as this high-profile case develops and as new information emerges from ongoing court proceedings.
If you care about justice and human rights, follow our coverage for the latest on Kilmar Ábrego García’s fight for freedom and accountability.