Judge Orders US to Help Repatriate Venezuelans Deported to Salvadoran Prison

Ruling requires US government to facilitate return of some Venezuelan migrants deported to El Salvador

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A federal judge ordered the U.S. government on Thursday to make the necessary arrangements to allow some of the Venezuelan migrants deported to a prison in El Salvador to return to their home country. The ruling comes after reports that the migrants were being held in poor conditions at the Salvadoran prison.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenges and legal battles over the treatment of Venezuelan migrants, many of whom have fled the political and economic crisis in their home country. The judge's order puts pressure on the U.S. to take responsibility for the welfare of migrants it has deported to other countries.

The details

The judge's ruling requires the U.S. government to work with the Salvadoran government to facilitate the return of the Venezuelan migrants to their home country. The migrants were reportedly being held in poor conditions at the Salvadoran prison after being deported from the United States.

  • The judge issued the order on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

The players

U.S. Government

The federal government of the United States, which was ordered by the judge to make arrangements to repatriate the Venezuelan migrants.

Salvadoran Government

The government of El Salvador, which was holding the Venezuelan migrants deported from the U.S. in a prison.

Venezuelan Migrants

The group of Venezuelan nationals who were deported from the United States to a prison in El Salvador.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The U.S. government must now work with the Salvadoran government to facilitate the return of the Venezuelan migrants to their home country.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges and legal battles over the treatment of Venezuelan migrants, and the responsibility of the U.S. government for the welfare of migrants it has deported to other countries.