Salvadoran Immigrant Describes "Severe Mistreatment" and "Torture" at El Salvador Prison After Wrongful Deportation

Strategic Insights -

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Salvadoran immigrant, has detailed the "severe mistreatment" and "torture" he experienced during his nearly month-long detention inside a notorious El Salvador prison, CECOT, after he was mistakenly deported from the United States in March. Abrego Garcia was subjected to "severe beatings, severe sleep deprivation, inadequate nutrition, and psychological torture" at the facility, where lawyers for President Donald Trump's administration have admitted he was mistakenly sent. He was eventually returned to the U.S. to face a federal criminal indictment accusing him of smuggling undocumented migrants across the country, allegations that were only raised after he was removed.

Key Takeaways:

  • Abrego Garcia experienced severe mistreatment and torture during his 28-day detention at CECOT prison in El Salvador, including severe beatings, sleep deprivation, inadequate nutrition, and psychological torture.
  • He was forcibly brought to the prison, chained, and subjected to physical abuse, including being kicked in the legs and struck on the head and arms.
  • Abrego Garcia was forced to strip, issued prison clothing, and shaved his head, and was frog-marched into a cell with wooden batons, striking him along the way.
  • He shared a cell with 20 other Salvadorans, who were forced to kneel from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m., with guards striking anyone who fell from exhaustion.
  • Abrego Garcia was denied bathroom access and soiled himself, and was confined to a metal bunk with no mattress in an overcrowded cell with no windows and bright lights that remained on 24 hours a day.
  • Prison officials repeatedly threatened to move him to cells where gang members would "tear" him apart, and he observed guards and personnel ignoring violent conflicts between gang members.
  • Abrego Garcia and four other detainees were transferred to another part of the facility after three weeks, where they were photographed with mattresses and better food, but the photos were staged to document improved conditions.
  • Abrego Garcia was frequently hidden from visitors at Centro Industrial prison and was denied communication with his family and access to legal counsel until he met with Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen on April 17.

Statistics:

  • Abrego Garcia lost 31 pounds during his nearly month-long detention at CECOT.
  • He was subjected to severe physical and psychological abuse for 28 days at the prison.
  • 20 other Salvadorans were forced to kneel with him from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. every night.
  • 12 Salvadoran men, including Abrego Garcia, were separated from a group of 21 detainees after one week at the facility, with officials acknowledging that Abrego Garcia's tattoos were not gang-related.
  • Abrego Garcia was held at Centro Industrial prison for nearly a month before being transferred to a different facility.

Sources:

  • The complaint filed by Abrego Garcia's lawyers on June 1, 2022
  • The New York Times, "Salvadoran Immigrant Says He Was Tortured in El Salvador Jails After Wrongful Deportation"
  • The New York Times, "The Wrongful Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia"