José Serrano Salgado

On 13 May 2026, a United States immigration judge found that José Serrano Salgado faced a risk of torture if returned to Ecuador, and granted deferral of removal under the Convention Against Torture.

He had lived in the United States since 2021 and applied for political asylum in October 2021. On 7 August 2025, with that application still pending, he was arrested by U.S. immigration authorities. The reason given was a visa overstay. He was held at the Krome North Service Processing Center in Miami for the next 386 days. Seven days before his arrest, the United States and Ecuador signed an agreement embedding an Ecuadorian police liaison within U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Human Rights Watch has since examined that cooperation and raised questions about abuses arising from it.

On 28 August 2026, he was removed from United States custody aboard a chartered private aircraft and flown to Ecuador. Ecuadorian authorities have stated he is held at CPL N.º 1 Santa Elena, known as El Encuentro. His family has not been able to confirm his location independently. No judicial incarceration order had been issued at the time of his transfer. Two separate requests for one were filed, on 28 and 31 August 2026, and none had issued in response to either.

Mr. Serrano has had no contact with his family since entering the facility on 29 August 2026. His first contact with counsel was a monitored telematic legal visit on 8 September 2026. Two habeas corpus actions have been filed. No judge has ruled on the merits of either.