Kilmer Abrego Garcia has described his time in one of El Salvador’s notorious mega-prisons as akin to “psychological torture” and physical abuse. His troubling experiences were detailed in court documents submitted late Wednesday, where he recounted his month-long imprisonment, which followed his deportation by the Trump administration over “administrative errors.”
Upon arrival, Abrego Garcia was taken to Cecot prison, where he faced immediate violence from an officer who repeatedly slammed him for simply trying to lift his head. He reported suffering severe beatings, significant sleep deprivation, poor nutrition, and ongoing psychological distress during his two weeks at Cecot, where he lost more than 30 pounds.
Cecot is known for its overcrowding, cramming inmates into cells well beyond capacity. Bunk beds reach three levels high, often without mattresses, and in Abrego Garcia’s case, around 80 men had to share just two toilets. The facility is dim and stifling, with lights on continuously, no windows, fans, or air conditioning, despite the humid climate.
In this oppressive environment, Abrego Garcia was allowed only 30 minutes of access to a cell phone daily and had no contact with the outside world. He described a moment of desperation upon arrival, where he kicked and slapped himself to cope with the overwhelming stress, resulting in visible bruises.
There was a particularly harrowing night when he and other inmates were forced to kneel from 9 PM until 6 AM, enduring beatings from guards for merely falling asleep due to exhaustion. In Cell 15, Abrego Garcia and 20 other men were subjected to this dehumanizing treatment.
Contrary to the Trump administration’s assertions that he was a gang member, prison staff separated him from those with identifiable gang tattoos, which raised questions about the administration’s classification methods. Critics pointed out that many tattoos were of sports teams or represented cultural heritage, rather than gang affiliation.
While at Cecot, guards threatened further transfers to cells with known gang members, which intensified his fears. He noted seeing instances of brutal violence between inmates, often without any intervention from the guards, and could hear distressing screams throughout the night.
Abrego Garcia was eventually moved from Cecot to another prison, where he recalled being photographed under circumstances he believed were staged to depict better conditions. He stated that on April 9th, he and a few others were transferred to a module that offered mattresses and improved food, suggesting an effort to mask the reality of their experiences.
Legal filings assert that the Trump administration was well aware of the harsh conditions in Cecot. A lawyer for Abrego Garcia argued that the administration not only acknowledged but seemed to endorse the torture occurring within the prison. They referred to statements by former President Trump who seemed unfazed by the maltreatment of detainees.
In contrast to claims of health by the Justice Department, which suggested Abrego Garcia had gained weight, his own accounts paint a starkly different picture. The Department of Homeland Security is facing scrutiny for its handling of the media narrative surrounding his case.
In a contentious response, DHS has dismissed his claims, characterizing Abrego Garcia as an illegal alien with ties to gangs and criminal activity, arguing that his story was a fabrication by the media. They contended that there has been an excessive focus on “sob stories” of criminals while neglecting the victims of their actions.
Notably, Abrego Garcia’s deportation was a mistake, occurring despite a 2019 immigration court ruling that prevented his removal. Recent court orders, including from the Supreme Court, emphasized the need for his return. Earlier this month, he was brought back to the U.S. as the Justice Department prepared to file trafficking charges stemming from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee.
