Colorado Advocates Seek Answers on Immigrants Sent to El Salvador Prison

Key Takeaways

• A federal judge blocks deportations of Venezuelan immigrants from Colorado to El Salvador’s CECOT prison.
• At least 11 immigrants from Colorado already sent to harsh CECOT facility; over 100 more at risk.
• Deportations use 1798 Alien Enemies Act, sparking legal challenges citing rights violations and lack of due process.

Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Colorado Immigrants to El Salvador Prison: What’s Happening and Why It Matters

A federal judge in Colorado has stopped the U.S. government from deporting a group of Venezuelan immigrants held in Colorado to a prison in El Salvador 🇸🇻, at least for now. This decision comes after weeks of legal battles, confusion, and growing fear among families and advocates. At the heart of the issue are at least 11 people from Colorado who have already been sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison—a place known for harsh conditions and human rights concerns. Many more could be at risk.

Here’s what’s happening, why it matters, and what it means for immigrants, families, and the future of U.S. immigration policy.

What Sparked the Crisis? The Use of the Alien Enemies Act

The Trump administration began using a very old law called the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan immigrants and others to El Salvador 🇸🇻. This law, passed in 1798, was meant for times of war, allowing the president to detain or deport people from enemy countries. Using it now, when the United States 🇺🇸 is not at war with Venezuela 🇻🇪 or El Salvador 🇸🇻, is almost unheard of.

Why did the government do this? Officials claim it’s about national security and alleged gang ties, but they have not shared much proof. Many of those deported have no criminal records and were working regular jobs in Colorado—like construction, food delivery, and makeup artistry. Most are fathers supporting families in the United States 🇺🇸.

How Many People Are Affected?

• 238 Venezuelan immigrants were flown from Texas to El Salvador’s CECOT prison on March 15, 2025.
• At least 11 detainees from Colorado have already been sent to CECOT, with over 100 more at risk.
• 17 more detainees (10 Salvadorans, 7 Venezuelans) were transferred from Guantánamo to CECOT in late March.

The exact number is hard to confirm because both U.S. and Salvadoran authorities have not shared clear information. Families and advocates in Colorado are struggling to find out what has happened to their loved ones.

What Is CECOT Prison?

CECOT stands for Terrorism Confinement Center. It’s a huge, high-security prison in El Salvador 🇸🇻, built to hold people accused of gang activity. Human rights groups and the U.S. State Department have warned about:

• Harsh conditions
• Alleged torture
• Indefinite detention (being held without knowing when you’ll be released)
• No clear way to challenge detention or get legal help

Sending people there, especially those with no criminal background, has raised serious concerns among lawyers and human rights groups.

Legal Battles: Courts Step In

After the first deportations, legal groups like the ACLU of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network rushed to court. They argued that:

• The government was violating due process (the right to fair treatment under the law)
• People were being deported without notice or a chance to challenge their removal
• The use of the Alien Enemies Act in this way was unconstitutional

Judge Charlotte Sweeney of the U.S. District Court in Colorado agreed, at least for now. She issued a preliminary injunction—a court order that blocks further deportations of Venezuelan immigrants from Colorado until their cases are heard or higher courts decide otherwise. The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and even the Supreme Court have upheld similar orders, showing how serious the legal questions are.

Mistakes and System Failures: The Case of Kilmar Ábrego García

One of the most troubling stories is that of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Venezuelan immigrant who was deported to El Salvador 🇸🇻 by mistake—even though a court order should have protected him. The government admitted the error but has not managed to get him released from Salvadoran custody. This case highlights:

• Breakdowns in communication between agencies
• Lack of clear procedures to prevent wrongful deportations
• The real human cost of rushed or poorly managed policies

What Happens to Families Left Behind?

Families in Colorado are desperate for information. Many have not heard from their loved ones since the deportations. They do not know if they are safe, healthy, or even alive. The psychological and financial stress is enormous. Some families have tried to contact the Salvadoran government for help, but the process is slow and unclear.

Key steps for families:
– Contact the Salvadoran NGO Cristosal (www.cristosal.org), which is helping collect information and may assist with legal petitions in El Salvador 🇸🇻.
– Reach out to the ACLU of Colorado (www.aclu-co.org) and the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (www.rmian.org) for legal support.
– Petition the Salvadoran government for release, though results have been limited so far.

Why Are Advocates and Legal Experts Alarmed?

Tim Macdonald, legal director for ACLU Colorado, called the deportations a “violation of due process and fundamental rights.” Lee Gelernt from the ACLU’s Immigrants’ Rights Project said using a wartime law in peacetime is “deeply troubling.” Laura Lunn of the Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network warned that these actions threaten civil rights for everyone, not just immigrants.

Legal experts say the administration’s actions may break both U.S. and international law, especially rules that ban sending people to countries where they could face harm (called “non-refoulement”).

What Does the Government Say?

The Trump administration insists that deporting these immigrants is necessary for national security. Officials claim some have gang ties, but have not shared much evidence. They also argue that the president has broad power under the Alien Enemies Act, even without a formal war.

So far, courts have disagreed, saying the government cannot ignore the Constitution or basic rights, even during times of concern about security.

The Legal Process: Step by Step

For those caught up in this policy, the process has looked like this:

1. Detention: ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) detains Venezuelan immigrants in Colorado, often without clear charges.
2. Deportation Orders: The administration tries to deport them to El Salvador 🇸🇻 under the Alien Enemies Act, sometimes without warning.
3. Legal Action: Advocates file emergency lawsuits to stop the deportations and demand fair hearings.
4. Court Orders: Judges issue temporary restraining orders and, in some cases, preliminary injunctions to block removals until cases are heard.
5. Mistaken Deportations: In some cases, people are deported by mistake, and courts order the government to help bring them back—though this has not always worked.

For families, the main options are to seek legal help, contact advocacy groups, and try to work with Salvadoran authorities, though success is not guaranteed.

Human Rights and International Attention

The CECOT prison in El Salvador 🇸🇻 has drawn criticism from groups like Human Rights Watch and the U.S. State Department. Reports describe:

• Overcrowding
• Lack of medical care
• Torture and abuse
• No clear legal process for release

Sending immigrants there, especially those with no criminal history, is seen as a major human rights risk.

What Are the Broader Implications?

This situation is about more than just Colorado or Venezuelan immigrants. It raises big questions for the whole country:

• Can the president use old wartime laws to deport people during peacetime?
• What rights do immigrants have when facing removal?
• How much power should the courts have to review executive actions on immigration?
• What happens when mistakes are made and people are sent to dangerous places?

The answers could shape U.S. immigration policy for years to come.

What’s Next? Ongoing Litigation and Possible Changes

The court order blocking deportations in Colorado will likely stay in place until higher courts, possibly even the Supreme Court, make a final decision. Congress is also debating whether to give more or less money for mass deportations and border enforcement.

Advocacy groups continue to fight for permanent protections for those affected and to set clear limits on presidential power under the Alien Enemies Act.

Resources for Affected Families and Advocates

If you or someone you know is affected, here are some important contacts:

• ACLU of Colorado: www.aclu-co.org | Phone: (303) 777-5482
• Cristosal (El Salvador NGO): www.cristosal.org
• Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network: www.rmian.org
• U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado: www.cod.uscourts.gov
• U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): www.ice.gov

For official information about immigration detention and removal, visit the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website.

Key Facts at a Glance

Analysis: What Does This Mean for Colorado and the U.S.?

The fight over deporting Venezuelan immigrants from Colorado to El Salvador 🇸🇻 is about more than just one group of people. It’s a test of how far the government can go in the name of security, and how much protection the courts will give to immigrants—even those with no criminal record.

For Colorado:
– Families are left in the dark, not knowing if their loved ones are safe.
– Advocates are working overtime to get information and stop further deportations.
– The community feels the loss of workers, parents, and neighbors.

For the United States 🇺🇸:
– The case could set a new standard for how old laws are used in modern immigration enforcement.
– It highlights the need for clear rules, transparency, and respect for basic rights.
– The outcome may affect thousands of immigrants across the country.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation remains fluid, with ongoing court cases and advocacy efforts likely to shape what happens next.

What Can You Do?

• If you have family affected: Contact the organizations listed above for help and updates.
• If you are an advocate or lawyer: Stay informed about court decisions and be ready to act quickly.
• If you are a community member: Support families and raise awareness about the risks of deportation to dangerous places.

Final Thoughts

The story of Venezuelan immigrants from Colorado being sent to El Salvador’s CECOT prison is a powerful example of how immigration policy can change lives in an instant. It shows the importance of legal protections, the dangers of unchecked power, and the need for compassion and fairness in the immigration system.

With court battles ongoing and families still searching for answers, the fight for justice and transparency continues. The decisions made in Colorado could have lasting effects for immigrants, families, and the country as a whole.

Learn Today

Alien Enemies Act → A 1798 law allowing deportation of nationals from enemy countries during wartime, rarely used in peacetime.
CECOT Prison → El Salvador’s high-security facility known for harsh conditions, alleged torture, and indefinite detention without legal recourse.
Due Process → Legal right ensuring fair treatment and opportunity to challenge government actions before deportation.
Preliminary Injunction → A court order temporarily halting actions—here, stopping deportations pending further legal review.
Non-Refoulement → International legal principle forbidding sending people to countries where they risk persecution or harm.

This Article in a Nutshell

Colorado immigrants face deportation to El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison under the disputed Alien Enemies Act, prompting urgent legal battles and calls for justice amid human rights concerns.
— By VisaVerge.com