People with CAT or withholding protection deported with a case still pending
Documented cases describe people with CAT or withholding of removal protection detained by ICE, sometimes shackled, and deported to third countries where they had no ties, including Sierra Leone, Cameroon, Uganda, the Central African Republic, and Congo. Several deportations occurred in Louisiana, Colorado, Virginia, and Massachusetts despite pending motions or court orders barring removal. First documented in June 2025, such cases became recurring by October 2026 and now make up a larger share of reported cases than earlier periods, with most recent subjects already deported.
First documented Jun 2025, recurring since Oct 2026. A larger share of recent stories than earlier ones.
Share of each month's well-documented stories, Jan 2025 to Oct 2026. Volume is not shown: coverage grew over the record, shares did not have to.
8 stories in 4 states. What accompanies this practice →
“Un día menos pensado, cuando estaba en la celda, los del centro de detención llegaron y me llamaron por mi nombre y me dijeron: alístate que te van a remover. Me sacaron, llevaron al aeropuerto Alejandría en Luisiana. Iba encadenado de pies, mano y cintura, como un criminal (...) Eso fue una tortura, un calvario”
Louisiana
Massachusetts
Missouri
Virginia
Location not tied to one state
Tesfay T.: Ethiopian torture survivor shackled and deported to Cameroon by ICETesfay, a 35-year-old Ethiopian torture survivor granted protection from deportation, was pressured into signing removal papers and flown to Cameroon chained at the wrists, legs and stomach for the entire flight.Oct 8, 2026 · Human Rights Watch
Bryan S.: Honduran gardener from Colorado deported to Central African Republic without noticeBryan Omar Sánchez, a Honduran gardener who lived in Colorado for a decade, was deported to the Central African Republic despite a protection order. A judge ordered him returned and released.“Africa? No, I can’t go to Africa,” — Bryan Omar SánchezCO · Sep 25, 2026 · El País, ABC News, Cuba Headlines +4Carlos R.: Diabetic Colombian man shackled without food, deported to Congo by ICECarlos Rodelo, 43, fled extortion in Colombia and won protection barring his return there, but ICE shackled him and flew him to Congo anyway. He later returned home to Colombia through a voluntary return program.Apr 21, 2026 · Greyta Studio, Latin Times, El País +7
Juan B.: Nicaraguan former political prisoner stripped of nationality deported to Honduras by ICEJuan Barilla, 35, a Nicaraguan farmer and former political prisoner resettled in Louisiana, was taken into ICE custody after a DUI arrest. He was deported to Honduras in November 2025 and now fears retaliation from Nicaragua's government.“Un día menos pensado, cuando estaba en la celda, los del centro de detención llegaron y me llamaron por mi nombre y me dijeron: alístate que te van a remover. Me sacaron, llevaron al aeropuerto Alejandría en Luisiana. Iba encadenado de pies, mano y cintura, como un criminal (...) Eso fue una tortura, un calvario” — Juan BarillaDec 1, 2025 · Human Rights Watch, El Heraldo, 100 Noticias +1