Key Takeaways
• On March 15, 2025, 3 deportation flights carried over 200 mostly Venezuelan and Salvadoran men to El Salvador’s CECOT prison.
• Hacked flight manifests published July 17 reveal dozens more deportees than U.S. government acknowledged, raising transparency concerns.
• Deportees, many without final removal orders, face indefinite detention with no legal access amid international outcry and court battles.
On March 15, 2025, three deportation flights left Texas for El Salvador 🇸🇻, carrying over 200 people—mostly Venezuelan and Salvadoran men. New evidence from hacked flight manifests, published July 17, 2025, shows that dozens more people were on board than the U.S. government ever admitted. These previously unknown passengers have vanished into El Salvador’s notorious CECOT megaprison, raising urgent questions about due process, human rights, and government transparency.
The discovery of these hidden deportees has sparked international outrage, legal battles, and deep fear among families who have lost all contact with their loved ones. The United Nations and human rights groups are demanding answers, while both the United States 🇺🇸 and El Salvador 🇸🇻 refuse to release full flight manifests or lists of detainees. As the controversy grows, the fate of these men—and the future of mass deportation policies—hangs in the balance.
Hacked Flight Manifests Expose Hidden Deportees
The story broke wide open when 404 Media published hacked flight manifests for the three March 15 deportation flights. These documents revealed dozens of additional passengers not listed in any official U.S. government records or Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disclosures. The names of these individuals, now public, had never been acknowledged by either government. Their current whereabouts remain unknown.
According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these findings suggest a much larger operation than previously reported. The official U.S. statements had mentioned at least 238 Venezuelans and 23 Salvadorans deported, but the hacked manifests point to a higher total, with many more people unaccounted for.
Who Are the Deportees?
Many of those deported on these flights were not under final orders of removal. Some had pending immigration hearings, while others were legal entrants—refugees, parolees, or visa holders. In several cases, deportees had never been accused or convicted of any crime in the United States 🇺🇸. Instead, they were targeted based on tattoos, alleged gang ties, or even social media posts.
Key facts:
– Date of flights: March 15, 2025
– Number of deportees: Over 200 officially, but hacked manifests show dozens more
– Nationalities: Mainly Venezuelan and Salvadoran men
– Destination: CECOT, El Salvador’s maximum-security “megaprison”
– Legal status: Many had pending cases or legal status in the U.S.
How Did the Deportations Happen?
The process began with target identification by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Many men were detained during routine check-ins or after being flagged for tattoos or suspected gang affiliation. They were then transferred to the El Valle detention center in Texas, often without warning.
No due process: Most deportees were denied the chance to contest their removal or present evidence in court. Deportations proceeded even though a federal judge had issued a restraining order blocking the flights. The D.C. Court of Appeals upheld this block, but the Supreme Court later ruled the district court lacked jurisdiction, leaving the legal situation unclear.
Mass deportation: Nearly 300 people were flown to El Salvador 🇸🇻 on March 15, 2025, despite ongoing litigation and court orders. Upon arrival, they were immediately bused to CECOT, where they have been held incommunicado ever since.
Why Is This Controversial?
The use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798—a wartime law rarely invoked since World War II—has drawn sharp criticism. The Trump administration used this law to justify mass deportations of Venezuelans accused of gang ties (especially with Tren de Aragua) and Salvadorans accused of MS-13 membership. However, many deportees had no criminal record and were identified based on superficial criteria.
Due process violations: Deportees were denied the right to challenge their removal, even if they had pending cases or legal status. The flights went ahead in open defiance of a federal judge’s restraining order.
International law concerns: United Nations experts and human rights groups have condemned the deportations as violations of due process, non-refoulement (the principle that people should not be sent to countries where they face harm), and international human rights law. There are serious fears of torture, enforced disappearance, and indefinite detention in El Salvador’s prisons.
What Is Happening in CECOT Megaprison?
CECOT is El Salvador’s largest and most infamous prison, known for harsh conditions and indefinite detention. Reports from human rights groups describe:
– Overcrowding: Cells packed far beyond capacity
– Lack of basic needs: Inadequate food, water, and medical care
– Abuse by guards: Physical violence and psychological abuse
– No legal access: Detainees cannot contact lawyers, families, or consular officials
Many prisoners have not been charged with any crime in El Salvador 🇸🇻. Their only “evidence” of gang membership may be tattoos or rumors.
Families left in the dark: Relatives of deportees have received little or no information about their loved ones’ fate. Some have not heard anything since the day of the flights.
United Nations and Human Rights Response
The UN Human Rights Office has filed court petitions and is investigating the “involuntary disappearances” of at least four Venezuelans deported on these flights. The UN is in contact with families of over 100 Venezuelans believed to have been sent to El Salvador 🇸🇻, but neither government has published official lists or disclosed the status of detainees.
Human rights organizations like Cristosal have called for:
– Independent monitoring of CECOT and other prisons
– Publication of full detainee lists
– Legal access for detainees and their families
– Immediate halt to further deportations without due process
U.S. and Salvadoran Government Positions
U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS): Secretary Kristi Noem has defended the deportations, saying those sent to CECOT should remain there “for the rest of their lives.” DHS refuses to provide details, citing state secrets and ongoing litigation.
El Salvador Government: President Nayib Bukele agreed to accept the deportees and expand CECOT’s capacity. The Salvadoran government has not published detainee lists or allowed independent monitoring of prison conditions.
Both governments have resisted calls for transparency, leaving families and advocates frustrated and fearful.
Legal Battles and State Secrets
Litigation over the deportation flights continues in U.S. federal courts and international bodies. The U.S. government claims the State Secrets Privilege, refusing to confirm details about the flights or the evidence used to justify deportations. This has blocked efforts by lawyers and families to learn the truth.
A federal judge in J.G.G. v. Trump issued a temporary restraining order blocking the deportations, but the flights went ahead anyway. The D.C. Court of Appeals upheld the block, but the Supreme Court later ruled the district court lacked jurisdiction. This legal back-and-forth has left deportees in limbo, with no clear path to justice.
Impact on Families and Communities
The sudden disappearance of so many men has devastated families across the United States 🇺🇸 and Venezuela 🇻🇪. Many relatives have no idea if their loved ones are alive, injured, or dead. Children have been left without fathers, and spouses without partners.
Community advocates warn that these deportations create a climate of fear among immigrants, especially those with pending cases or minor legal issues. People are afraid to attend court hearings, check in with ICE, or seek help from authorities.
Legal advocates report that many deportees were legal immigrants with no criminal record. Some had been living in the United States 🇺🇸 for years, working and supporting families.
International Law and Human Rights
The deportation flights raise serious questions about compliance with international law. The principle of non-refoulement—a core part of the 1951 Refugee Convention—prohibits sending people to countries where they face torture, persecution, or death. Human rights experts argue that the United States 🇺🇸 and El Salvador 🇸🇻 have violated this principle by sending men to indefinite detention in CECOT.
UN experts have called for:
– Immediate publication of detainee lists
– Access for independent monitors
– Legal representation for all detainees
– Protection from torture and abuse
So far, neither government has agreed to these demands.
What Can Families and Advocates Do?
For families searching for loved ones, options are limited. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security does not provide direct contact for detainee information. Families are advised to seek legal counsel and contact organizations like Cristosal or the United Nations Human Rights Office for help.
Official resources:
– U.S. Department of Homeland Security
– United Nations Human Rights Office
– Cristosal
The Bigger Picture: Policy and Future Risks
The Trump administration has signaled plans to continue mass deportations under the Alien Enemies Act and expand cooperation with El Salvador 🇸🇻 for indefinite detention of alleged gang members. This policy shift could affect thousands more immigrants, many of whom have never been convicted of a crime.
International pressure is growing. The United Nations and human rights groups are demanding independent access to detainees and publication of full lists. As of July 2025, neither government has complied.
Legal challenges may force further disclosures or changes in policy, but the administration continues to resist court orders and oversight.
Solution-Oriented Steps
While the situation remains dire, there are steps that can help:
– Legal action: Families and advocates can continue to file lawsuits and demand court intervention.
– International advocacy: Human rights groups can pressure both governments through the United Nations and other bodies.
– Public awareness: Media coverage and public protests can keep attention on the issue and push for transparency.
– Community support: Local organizations can help families with legal aid, counseling, and advocacy.
What Needs to Change?
For real progress, both the United States 🇺🇸 and El Salvador 🇸🇻 must:
– Release full flight manifests and detainee lists
– Allow independent monitoring of CECOT and other prisons
– Provide legal access and family contact for detainees
– Respect court orders and due process rights
– Stop deportations that violate international law
Conclusion: Ongoing Uncertainty and the Need for Answers
As of July 17, 2025, the fate of dozens of people deported on the March 15 flights to El Salvador 🇸🇻 remains unknown. The hacked flight manifests have exposed serious gaps in government transparency and accountability. Families are desperate for news, and human rights groups continue to demand action.
The controversy over these deportation flights is far from over. Legal battles, international investigations, and public pressure may yet force answers—but for now, the lives of many remain in the shadows, caught between two governments and a prison system with no clear end in sight.
Anyone affected by these events should seek legal advice and connect with trusted organizations for support. For more information on current immigration policies and official resources, visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the ongoing secrecy and lack of due process in these deportation flights threaten the rights and safety of immigrants everywhere. Only full transparency and respect for the law can restore trust and protect those most at risk.
Learn Today
Deportation Flights → Air travel operations transporting individuals from one country back to their origin or another country.
Flight Manifests → Official lists detailing passengers on a specific flight used for tracking and security purposes.
Due Process → Legal requirement ensuring fair treatment through the normal judicial system before deprivation of rights.
Non-refoulement → International law principle forbidding return of individuals to countries where they face serious harm.
Alien Enemies Act → 1798 U.S. law permitting detention or deportation of foreign nationals during wartime or threats.
This Article in a Nutshell
In March 2025, over 200 men were deported to El Salvador’s CECOT prison under questionable legal circumstances. Hacked manifests exposed many hidden deportees. Families remain uninformed, raising serious human rights and due process issues amid government secrecy and ongoing legal challenges, demanding urgent transparency and justice.
— By VisaVerge.com
