Overview

• El Salvador told a UN working group that the U.S. retains exclusive jurisdiction and legal responsibility for more than 200 Venezuelan migrants housed at CECOT under a $6 million bilateral deal.
• The admission contradicts the Trump administration’s position that the deported men are beyond American judicial reach and no longer entitled to due process.
• Federal judges have repeatedly ordered the return of Venezuelan detainees, including Kilmar Abrego Garcia and “Cristian,” after finding their transfers violated court orders and settlement agreements.
• Lawyers for the migrants have sought additional discovery of the secret detention agreement and filed fresh habeas petitions challenging the administration’s use of the Alien Enemies Act.
• Reports of overcrowding, abuse and alleged disappearances at CECOT have drawn scrutiny from the UN and human rights groups over the treatment of detainees.