US Deports Resident Leonardo Sánchez to Equatorial Guinea on $7.5 Million Deal Despite Severe Hernia
Updated
Updated · EL PAÍS USA · Aug 26
US Deports Resident Leonardo Sánchez to Equatorial Guinea on $7.5 Million Deal Despite Severe Hernia
1 articles · Updated · EL PAÍS USA · Aug 26
Summary
Leonardo Sánchez — a lawful U.S. permanent resident with a large abdominal hernia — was flown from Louisiana to Equatorial Guinea on Aug. 20 after refusing to disembark in Liberia, fellow deportees and his family said.
A 36-hour ICE flight carrying about 20 deportees ended with Sánchez and four others rerouted to Malabo, where they say guards forced them off the plane, Sánchez fell onto the tarmac, and they were taken to the guarded Bamy Hotel.
Four days after arrival, Sánchez said he still lacked clean clothes, basic toiletries and proper treatment, receiving only paracetamol; he said a local hospital declined responsibility, jeopardizing a 10th surgery planned at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Other deportees reported similar medical gaps, including Brazilian Pietro Lima, who said he had gone five days without medication, while rights groups warned detainees in Equatorial Guinea face abuse, legal limbo and inadequate care.
The deportations are part of U.S. deals with African countries including Equatorial Guinea and Liberia — worth $7.5 million and $5 million respectively — as the Trump administration expands third-country removals despite mounting humanitarian concerns.