Cartel witness deported three times despite CAT protection, judge orders his return
Jul 10, 2026·Location: LA
Country of origin: Mexico

A Mexican migrant identified in court filings as 'John Doe,' a father of two who cooperated with the U.S. Department of Justice and testified against members of Mexican drug cartels, was deported three times by ICE despite holding protection under the Convention Against Torture. He was first removed to Guatemala on July 10, then twice to Mexico, most recently to an area with significant cartel activity, where he has been in hiding fearing torture or death. U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher ordered the government to take active steps within 14 days to facilitate his return, writing there is an 'immense public interest' in protecting those who risk their safety to assist government prosecutions. Before his deportation, he had been held for six months at a Louisiana detention center after ICE detained him during a routine immigration check-in.
Sources
- US deports witness against Mexican drug cartel three times—twice to Mexico
Newsweek·Aug 24, 2026
- Judge orders return of Mexican cartel witness deported three times by ICE
english.elpais.com·Sep 1, 2026·archived copy
- Judge orders U.S. to return deported man at risk of torture
Seattle Times·Aug 24, 2026
Related incidents
- Cuban man detained in Florida, deported to Central African Republic, held in BanguiOct 6, 2026 · West Palm Beach, FL
- Toddler U.S. citizen left in Mexico after parents deported to VenezuelaOct 6, 2026 · Mexico
- Texas pastor deported to Ghana, a country he has never visitedOct 6, 2026 · Mesquite, TX
- Babson College student deported to Honduras despite judge's order, now fights for returnOct 5, 2026 · Boston, MA
- Army veteran deported to Jamaica despite pending appeal; Georgia judge later voids old convictionOct 5, 2026 · Covington, GA
- Laotian man released after year in Eswatini prison following U.S. deportationOct 4, 2026 · Matsapha, Eswatini