In a significant legal development, a U.S. immigration judge has ordered the Trump administration to grant legal representatives access to a Venezuelan national currently detained in a prison in El Salvador. The ruling comes after weeks of legal uncertainty and mounting pressure from human rights organizations.
The Venezuelan man, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed for security reasons, has reportedly been held without consistent access to legal counsel. According to his attorneys, the man had been seeking asylum in the United States but was detained in El Salvador under unclear circumstances.
The judge emphasized the importance of legal due process and the right to legal representation, even in international detainment situations involving U.S. immigration interests. “Legal access is not just a privilege—it is a fundamental right,” the ruling stated.
Immigrant advocacy groups have hailed the decision as a step toward accountability and justice for migrants caught in cross-border legal limbo. However, the Trump administration has not yet publicly responded to the ruling.
The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how the U.S. handles immigration cases involving third-country detentions, particularly in Central America.