Edicson Quintero Chacon
Edicson David Quintero Chacon came to the US in April of 2024. He is now confirmed to be in CECOT.
Coming to the US
In 2024 David Quintero Chacon came to the US from Venezuela where he was a carpenter, fisherman, and father of two young children. He turned himself into immigration officials after crossing the border. He was released with an ankle monitor and instructions to check in with ICE officials. David did exactly as he was told.
Detention and Expulsion
He was later taken into ICE custody at a routine ICE Check-in in North Carolina in July 2024. The government alleged that David was a member of Tren de Aragua and detained him while an immigration court determined his deportation status. In September an immigration judge ordered his removal to Venezuela for simple immigration violation and not allegations that he was a gang member. He was held for eight months in Stewart Detention in Lumpkin, GA. He filed a writ of habeas corpus in February 2025 asking a court to order the government to release him from custody. According to a well established statutory and constitutional claims articulated in Zadvydas v Davis states, “after six months of post removal order detention, release is required if there is not significant likelihood of removal in the foreseeable future.” In March, David reached six months in US detention after his removal order, but by then ICE had moved him from Georgia to a detention center in Texas. Instead of being deported, David Quintero Chacon was sent to CECOT. There is no evidence that David has ever been charged with or convicted of any crime.
Unlike other detainees sent to CECOT, the Administration does not consider David an alien enemy. Like approximately half the men expelled, David was shipped to CECOT through standard deportation proceedings.
Ongoing Legal Action
The American Immigration Council, The National Immigration Project, and The Center for Constitutional Rights filed an amended habeas petition in the US District Court for the Middle District of Georgia on Mr. Quintero’s behalf.
Court Document on habeas corpus hearing request: https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/sites/default/files/litigation_documents/first_amended_petition_for_writ_of_habeas_corpus.pdf
