Case: Leon Rengel v. United States
1:26-cv-01008 | U.S. District Court for the District of District of Columbia
Filed Date: March 24, 2026
Case Ongoing
Clearinghouse coding complete
Case Summary
This case challenges the Trump Administration’s March 2025 Alien Enemies Act removals to El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) prison--specifically, the transfer of Venezuelan nationals, which was also the subject of J.G.G. v. Trump.
On March 24, 2026, a Venezuelan national who had lawfully entered the U.S. and was awaiting an immigration hearing scheduled for 2028, filed this Federal Tort Claims Act lawsuit against the United States of America in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. The complaint alleges that on March 13, 2025, plaintiff was detained by ICE officers while heading to work in Irving, Texas. According to the allegations, the officers claimed his tattoos indicated membership in the gang Tren de Aragua, which plaintiff denied. Plaintiff further alleged that he was denied a meaningful opportunity to challenge the gang designation or obtain review by an immigration judge. The complaint alleges that plaintiff fell within the class certified in J.G.G. v. Trump, and was therefore protected by that case’s temporary restraining order prohibiting the removal of class members under the Alien Enemies Act. 2025 WL 825116. Despite that order, he was transported to CECOT, rather than Venezuela, as promised. Plaintiff spent approximately four months in CECOT, and alleged that he suffered physical and psychological abuse before being released to Venezuela in July 2025 as part of a prisoner exchange arrangement.
The lawsuit brings four counts under the Federal Tort Claims Act: negligence, intentional infliction of emotional distress, abuse of process, and false imprisonment. Plaintiff seeks compensatory damages of at least $1,300,000, along with a declaratory judgment, attorneys' fees and costs, and other relief the Court deems necessary.
On May 28, 2026, the United States moved to dismiss the action for improper venue, arguing that venue was unavailable in the District of Columbia because the plaintiff resided in Venezuela and the operative events underlying his claims occurred in Texas.
This case is ongoing.
Summary Authors
Benjamin Glicksman (6/10/2026)
Claire Pollard (3/27/2026)
Related Cases
J.G.G. v. Trump, District of District of Columbia (2025)
Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights v. Department of State, District of District of Columbia (2025)
People
For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72600914/parties/leon-rengel-v-united-states/
Boasberg, James Emanuel (District of Columbia)
Eisen, Norman Larry (District of Columbia)
Jonas, Stephen A. (District of Columbia)
Kolb, Joshua Gabriel (District of Columbia)
Marziani, Mimi (District of Columbia)
Documents in the Clearinghouse
Docket
See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/72600914/leon-rengel-v-united-states/
Last updated July 22, 2026, 3:23 a.m.
Case Details
State / Territory:
Case Type(s):
Special Collection(s):
Trump 1.0 & 2.0 Immigration Enforcement Order Challenges
Trump Administration 2.0: Challenges to the Government
Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government
Key Dates
Filing Date: March 24, 2026
Case Ongoing: Yes
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
Venezuelan national deported to CECOT, then to Venezuela
Plaintiff Type(s):
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Federal
United States of America
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA), 28 U.S.C. § 2674
Constitutional Clause(s):
Other Dockets:
District of District of Columbia 1:26-cv-01008
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: None Yet / None
Relief Sought:
Relief Granted:
Source of Relief:
Issues
General/Misc.:
Access to lawyers or judicial system
Affected National Origin/Ethnicity(s):
Immigration/Border:
Undocumented immigrants - rights and duties
Case Summary of Leon Rengel v. United States, Civil Rights Litig. Clearinghouse, https://clearinghouse.net/case/47973/ (last updated 3/27/2026).