Venezuelan Man Files $1.3 Million Lawsuit Against Trump Administration
A Venezuelan man formerly detained in El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison has initiated a $1.3 million lawsuit against the Trump administration. The plaintiff, Neierfer Adrian Leon Lengel, seeks compensation for the perceived injustices he faced during his arrest and subsequent deportation.
Detention and Deportation Details
Leon Lengel was arrested in Texas on March 13, 2025, coinciding with his birthday. Following his arrest, he was deported to El Salvador alongside dozens of other immigrants on a well-publicized flight, now associated with significant controversy.
Family Concerns and Lack of Communication
For weeks, Leon Lengel’s family struggled to ascertain his whereabouts, receiving inconsistent information from authorities. NBC News confirmed that he was sent to CECOT, subsequently informing his brother, who had been actively searching for him.
Claims of Inhumane Treatment
In the lawsuit filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the 28-year-old claims he suffered a loss of liberty, physical injury, emotional distress, and lasting psychological trauma due to his treatment at CECOT. According to the complaint, he endured four months of abuse while in custody, including beatings by guards and inadequate medical care, all within deplorable living conditions.
Release and Background on CECOT
Leon Lengel regained his freedom on July 18, returning to Venezuela with over 250 other detainees as part of a prisoner exchange agreement between the United States and Venezuela. CECOT is a large prison where numerous human rights organizations have documented severe abuses and inhumane conditions. The Trump administration previously signed a $6 million agreement with El Salvador to accept expelled individuals, predominantly from Venezuela.
Background on Alien Enemies Act and Deportation Allegations
In March, President Donald Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act, resulting in the removal of numerous immigrants, many of whom possessed legal permission to reside in the U.S. The administration contended that those deported to CECOT were linked to the Torren de Aragua gang. Yet, many family members, including Leon Lengel’s brother, vehemently dispute these allegations of gang affiliation.
Legal Proceedings and Ignored Documentation
Leon Lengel’s complaint asserts that he entered the United States on June 12, 2023, after complying with the Biden administration’s CBP One program to schedule an appointment. This involved providing biometrics and undergoing testing. While awaiting a 2028 immigration court hearing, he was arrested while en route to work in Irving, Texas. Allegedly, ICE agents disregarded critical documentation relating to his ongoing immigration case and his pending application for Temporary Protected Status.
Flight to El Salvador and Subsequent Violence
As Leon Lengel boarded a plane in Harlingen, Texas, he believed he was being returned to Venezuela, an assertion made by a police officer. However, anxiety grew as the flight windows were obscured and detainees were instructed to look away. Upon landing in El Salvador, the situation escalated as Salvadoran officers forcibly removed dissenting detainees from the plane, with reports of violence, including individuals being thrown down the stairs.
Legal Assertions on Due Process Violations
Leon Lengel’s lawsuit posits that, irrespective of the legality of the Alien Enemies Act’s invocation, the administration established unlawful enforcement mechanisms aimed at unjustly detaining Venezuelan immigrants. The complaint argues that this incident was designed to systematically deny due process and judicial review, ultimately crafting a narrative of severe punishment to justify the extraordinary arrangement with El Salvador.
Efforts to secure comments from the White House, as well as the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, have not elicited a response.
