Leonel Javier Echavez Paz
Read more about Leonel, who is only 19, here:
Coming to the US
Leonel Javier Echavez Paz was born and raised in La Villa Zulia, Venezuela. His older brother is disabled after losing a leg. In 2023, Leonel made the decision to leave Venezuela for the US due to serious economic difficulties that prevented his family from providing the necessary support to his brother.
Leonel traveled through the Darien jungle and was awaiting a CBP appointment. It is unclear whether he requested an appointment or simply turned himself in when he was detained for about a week in December, 2023. He told his family at that time that he was safe and in the process of applying for asylum with a hearing scheduled for 2026.
Leonel began working in a supermarket and appeared for his scheduled immigration hearings in December 2023 and March 2024.
Arrest and deportation
On March 13, 2025, Leonel had just returned home from his night work at an aluminum factory, when ICE agents arrived looking for another person, Daniel Enrique Paz Gonzalez, who had a deportation order. Mistaking Leonel for Daniel, they arrested him and another friend who resided in the home.
Leonel was able to make a video call to his mother and nformed her that he was accused of being a member of the Tren de Aragua gang. As with others, Leonel has three tattoos, but none link him to gang activity. The video call was abruptly interrupted by an ICE agent.
On March 18, his family attempted to search for information through his alien number in the system. No records were available. They have not had any further communication with Leonel. The family was told by authorities that Leonel had been removed from US territory but denied them any further information about his whereabouts. On March 20 the family confirmed that Lionel’s name was on a list of men sent to CECOT.
RFK Human Rights Delegation to El Salvador responds
On April 26-28, attorneys from RFK Human Rights traveled to El Salvador to advocate for the release of 10 men which includes Leonel. Like Leonel, the other men included individuals with pending asylum applications, work permits, and temporary protected status.
Continue to put pressure on your representatives to demand the release of Leonel and other deportees who received no due process afforded to them by the US Constitution before deportation to El Salvador: Click here to find your State Representative; Click here to find your Senator.
Check back here for updates as available
