In a decision setting a significant human rights precedent, an immigration appeals court has ruled that a former defense minister of El Salvador, a close ally of Washington during the civil war there in the 1980s, can be deported from the United States because he participated in or concealed torture and murder by his troops.

The decision, published Wednesday by the Board of Immigration Appeals in the case of the former official, Gen. Carlos Eugenio Vides Casanova, found that he had a direct role in the abuse and killings of civilians because of his “command responsibility” as the top military officer.

It is a major statement by the highest immigration court, interpreting a central issue in a human rights law passed in 2004. General Vides is the highest-ranking official to be prosecuted under the command provisions of the statute.

The ruling will make it easier to deport foreigners who were top commanders based on violations by soldiers serving under them.