Washington, DC, Friday, July 18, 2025 – Elbador’s infamous “MegaPrison”, Centre for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT), Edixon Quintero Chacón of Venezuelas, and Jose Manuel Ramos Bastidas released today and Jose Manuel Ramos Bastidas, who was placed on a US integrated flight to Venezuelas, is now released, and is detained in CECOT after being jailed 125 days later by Venezuelan nationals Edicson Quintero Chacón and Jose Manuel Ramos Bastidas. Both men’s lawyers expressed deep relief upon release, highlighting the urgent need for accountability from the US government for disappearing to CECOT in the first place.
The US government sent men to CECOT on March 15, 2025, where they were not accused of institutions widely condemned for mass voluntary detention and inhumane treatment. Both Quintero and Bastidas had previously received orders removed from the United States, but they then told federal court they just wanted to return to Venezuela. The US government sent them to CECOT instead. The terms of the agreement with El Salvador specify that the US sends “members” of Venezuelan gangster Tren de Aragua (TDA), but there is no evidence to link the man to the TDA. Their return to Venezuela was part of a prisoner swap agreement, including the release of US citizens and legal permanent residents from Venezuela.
“The news of the flight to Venezuela was like being attacked by a bucket of cold water because my family had no idea this was happening,” said a member of the family of Quintero Chacon, who asked to remain anonymous. “Edixon was never sent to Secott in the first place. No one should have done so. When what he wanted was safe, he was treated cruel and inhumane.
“We’ve been waiting for this moment for months, and now Jose Manuel has now been released from CECOT and on his way home, he can finally breathe.” “His son, whom he’s never seen since he was four months old, is eagerly waiting for him. These last few months just know nothing about Jose Manuel and imagine that he must be in pain.
Serious concerns remain regarding the legality and transparency of the US government’s actions. Many of the individuals sent to CECOT by the US government have pending claims for asylum and expressed credible fears about returning to Venezuela. Their forced return to Venezuela without a legitimate process to address the demand for asylum in the United States raises important questions regarding the compliance with the US domestic and international legal obligations.
Nor did the US government choose individuals for their transfer to CECOT or public accounting for the full range of conditions they endured. Until now, the US government has not detained a complete list of names of people who paid for El Salvador, so it remains unclear whether each victim has been described.
The use of foreign detention facilities, particularly those with systematic abuse records, raises serious human rights and legitimate processes. The US government should not be detained in outsourcing arrangements and should not cooperate with administrations that violate human rights. There must be a full investigation into these losses and clear safeguards, except that the Trump administration does this again.
“We are deeply relieved that Quintero Chacon and Ramos Bastidas were eventually released from CECOT, but this should never have happened in the first place.” “The US government denied liability while suffering after paying to detain these men in one of the world’s most notorious prisons. For months, the Trump administration misunderstood the courts and the public, pretended not to control their fate. This deal must have a complete investigation into how this happened.
“We celebrate the news. Quintero Chacon, Ramos Bastidas, and more than 250 Venezuelans are heading home today after months of disappearing and tortured at the direction and costs of the US government. CJ Sandley, Senior Attorney for the Center for Constitutional Rights, said:
“Celebrating the safe return of Quintero Chacon and Ramos Bastidas to Venezuela and the long-awaited reunion of challenges with loved ones is a great joy and relief. Stephanie M. Alvarez Jones, Southeast Regional Attorney for the National Immigration Project, said: “We must celebrate their long-term release, while the government must be held responsible for their outrageous actions.”
The U.S. Immigration Council, the Constitutional Rights Center, and the National Immigration Project represent Quintero Chacon in the workings of his habeas corps in the US District Court in the Central District of Georgia. The National Immigration Project represents Ramos Bastidas in a habeas-protection lawsuit in front of the US District Court in the Central District of Georgia.
Please contact us for more details.
Ellissa Pachico of the American Council of Immigration; [email protected] 503 850 8407
Arianna Rosales, National Immigration Project, [email protected]
Jennessel, Constitutional Rights Center, [email protected]
About the American Council on Immigration
The American Immigration Council works to strengthen America by shaping how America thinks and acts towards immigrants and immigrants, working towards a more equitable and just immigrant system of immigration for those who need protection and unleash the energy and skills that immigrants provide. The Council has adopted four coordinated approaches to bring problem solvers together and foster change, including lighting, research, legislative and administrative advocacy, and communication. In January 2022, the Council and the New American Economy merged with a wide range of advocacy tools to better expand and protect immigrant rights, to better assure immigrants’ ability to succeed economically and to support communities that are more welcoming. Follow @immcouncil’s Bluesky @mimcouncil.org and the latest council news and information on Instagram.
About the National Immigration Project: The National Immigration Project is a membership organization of lawyers, advocates and community members who believe that all people should be treated with dignity, live freely and thrive. We sue, advocate, educate and build bridges through movement to ensure that those most affected by immigration and the criminal system are raised and supported. For more information, please visit nipnlg.org. Follow @nipnlg to the National Mivirigint Project on Bluesky, Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram.
About the Centre for Constitutional Rights: The Centre for Constitutional Rights works with threatened communities to fight for justice and liberation through litigation, advocacy and strategic communication. Since 1966, the Constitutional Rights Center has adopted a oppressive system of power, including structural racism, gender oppression, economic inequality, and government overreach. Follow Facebook’s Constitutional Rights Center, @Theccr on Twitter/X, @CcrJustice on Instagram, and @ccrjustice.org on Bluesky.
