A man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador will "never live" in the United States again, according to statements from the White House. Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national previously residing in Maryland, was deported after accusations of gang affiliation with MS-13, which his lawyer denies. Following a judge's order for his return, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele stated he lacked authority to execute such a request.
At a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated claims that Mr. Ábrego García is connected to MS-13 and implied he has a history of domestic violence. She referenced a protective order filed by his U.S. citizen wife, who alleged acts of physical aggression against her. In response, Mrs. Jennifer Vasquez Sura clarified that the protective order was a precautionary measure and that they addressed their issues through family counseling.
Deported on March 15, with a group of fellow migrants, Mr. Ábrego García's removal was eventually ruled a violation of a 2019 court order that previously granted him protection from deportation. Experts say this situation raises questions about the legality of the Trump administration's actions, even as officials acknowledge the deportation was an "administrative error."
Moreover, while Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to advocate for Mr. Ábrego García's situation, he was denied access to the prison where Mr. Ábrego García is being held. Van Hollen noted that the man had not been charged with any crime and labeled his removal from the U.S. as illegal.
In the backdrop of the ongoing discourse surrounding Mr. Ábrego García, the White House has faced scrutiny for linking the case to unrelated incidents, such as the recent murder of Maryland resident Rachel Morin, allegedly at the hands of an illegal immigrant. As tensions continue to build, this case remains a critical focal point in the ongoing immigration debate within the United States.
