A Mexican man in his late 40s, identified only as John Doe in court filings, provided substantial assistance to the Justice Department in cases against Mexican drug cartel members in 2024 and was granted deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture. He had been living in Maryland and was detained at a routine ICE check-in in January, then held for six months in Louisiana before authorities attempted multiple deportations, including a failed attempt to send him to Guatemala, which refused him. Mexican officials also initially refused him after learning of his CAT protection, but after the State Department received diplomatic assurances from Mexico, ICE terminated his protections and deported him without prior notice on August 1. He is reportedly hiding without money or belongings in a region with active cartel activity, fearing retaliation. U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher issued a temporary restraining order requiring the government to immediately return him, finding the termination of his protections likely violated due process and placed him in imminent danger of torture or death.