Story perspectives

Former Detainee Seeks Spanish Asylum After Salvadoran Prison Abuse

5/22/2026

Summary

Story summary

After surviving a transfer to El Salvador’s Cecot prison, Andry José Hernández Romero chose Spain for asylum, citing its immigration stance.
Deported by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, he now awaits his first asylum hearing in southern Spain.
Monitors reported psychological abuse, physical mistreatment and sexual violence at Cecot prison.
His lawyer Lindsay Toczylowski says U.S. courts have blocked a review of alleged judicial defiance.

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Story summary

After surviving a transfer to El Salvador’s Cecot prison, Andry José Hernández Romero chose Spain for asylum, citing its immigration stance.
Deported by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, he now awaits his first asylum hearing in southern Spain.
Monitors reported psychological abuse, physical mistreatment and sexual violence at Cecot prison.
His lawyer Lindsay Toczylowski says U.S. courts have blocked a review of alleged judicial defiance.