Abrego Garcia says he endured beatings, torture in Salvadorian prison
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorian migrant who was mistakenly deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador, has recently come forward with shocking allegations of abuse and torture he endured while detained in the country. Court filings reveal that Abrego Garcia was subjected to sleep deprivation, psychological torture, and severe beatings at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a notorious anti-terrorism prison in El Salvador.
According to the court documents, the abuses began as soon as Abrego Garcia arrived at the prison in March. He was greeted by a prison guard who ominously stated, “Whoever enters here, doesn’t leave.” Abrego Garcia was then physically assaulted by guards, who kicked him with boots and struck him with wooden batons, resulting in visible bruises and bumps across his body. The detainees were forced to sleep on metal mattresses, with minimal access to food and water, and were required to kneel for hours on end, with guards striking those who fell from exhaustion.
As a result of the harsh conditions at CECOT, Abrego Garcia’s physical health quickly deteriorated. Within two weeks, he lost approximately 31 pounds. In addition to the physical abuse, he was also subjected to psychological torture, including threats of violence. Prison guards repeatedly told him that he would be transferred to cells housing violent gang members who would harm him, and he witnessed other prisoners in nearby cells being violently attacked without any intervention from guards.
Despite previous claims by administration officials that Abrego Garcia was a member of the MS-13 gang, the court filing notes that prison officials at CECOT acknowledged that his tattoos were not gang-related. This revelation undermines the administration’s justification for deporting him.
The upcoming status hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland, is expected to address a range of issues related to Abrego Garcia’s case. Both the Trump administration and Abrego Garcia’s legal team have submitted motions to the court, including a government motion to dismiss the case as moot and a request from the plaintiffs to sanction officials for failing to facilitate his return to the U.S.
Abrego Garcia’s lawyers argue that the case is not moot, as Judge Xinis still has the authority to order his return to Maryland. They have requested that he be brought back to the district from Tennessee, where he was sent to face criminal charges upon his return to the U.S. Additionally, they have asked the court to block Abrego Garcia’s potential removal from the U.S. without prior notification, citing concerns about potential persecution or torture in other countries.
The complexity of the case is further compounded by a separate criminal case playing out in Tennessee. The federal judge overseeing that case has ordered the Trump administration to refrain from making public statements about Abrego Garcia that could prejudice a jury or impact the integrity of the court proceedings.
As the legal battle continues, the next steps remain uncertain. Judge Xinis has expressed frustration with the Trump administration for its slow response to court requests and failure to comply with discovery obligations. The hearing on Monday will provide an opportunity for both parties to present their arguments and for the judge to make decisions on the various motions submitted.
Breanne Deppisch, a national politics reporter for Fox News Digital, will be covering the hearing and providing updates on the case. Stay tuned for further developments in this high-profile legal battle.
