Venezuelan Man Sues U.S. Government for $1.3M Over Wrongful Deportation to El Salvadoran Prison

Neiyerver Adrián Leon Rengel sues the U.S. for $1.3 million, alleging he was falsely labeled a gang member and deported to a notorious El Salvador prison.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 5:12 AM EDT

Source: Reuters

The Allegations: "Tattoos as Justification"

The lawsuit, filed on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Washington D.C., accuses the U.S. government of false imprisonment, negligence, and defying a federal court order.

The Arrest: Rengel was detained in March 2025 while heading to work in Irving, Texas.

The Claim: He alleges immigration officers identified him as a "public safety threat" based solely on his tattoos, which they claimed indicated membership in the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.

The Deportation: Despite a court order, Rengel was one of 252 Venezuelans deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador’s notorious Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in 2025.

Four Months in "Inhumane Conditions"