Name: Venezuelan man deported to CECOT prison sues U.S. for $1.3 million
Uploaded: 2026-03-25T01:32:55.724Z
Duration: 4 min 52 s
Description: Last year, a Venezuelan man was deported from the U.S. to the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador. Now, he is suing the U.S. government for over $1 million in damages. CBS News immigration correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez reports.

Last year, a Venezuelan man was deported from the U.S. to the notorious CECOT prison in El Salvador. Now, he is suing the U.S. government for over $1 million in damages. CBS News immigration correspondent Camilo Montoya-Galvez reports.

Washington

Neyever Adrian Leon-Rangel, a 28-year-old Venezuelan, has filed a $1.3 million lawsuit against the U.S. government after being deported to El Salvador's CICOT prison. Leon-Rangel, who entered the U.S. legally and had no deportation order or serious criminal history, claims he was falsely accused of gang membership and endured harsh conditions in prison, including psychological and physical abuse.

A federal judge has ordered the U.S. government to facilitate the return of Venezuelan men deported under the Alien Enemies Act to provide due process, but the Justice Department is appealing the decision. The Department of Homeland Security maintains Leon-Rangel's alleged gang affiliation but has not provided evidence, citing national security. Leon-Rangel is the first known former CICOT prisoner to sue the U.S. government for damages.

Venezuelan man deported to CECOT prison sues U.S. for $1.3 million

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