The White House has reiterated its stance that Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national mistakenly deported from the US, will not be allowed to return despite legal challenges. Accusations against him include gang affiliation and domestic violence, which his family and lawyer vehemently deny, illustrating a legal and diplomatic standoff.
White House Declares Deported Salvadoran Will "Never Live" in the US Again
White House Declares Deported Salvadoran Will "Never Live" in the US Again
In a controversial deportation case, the White House insists Kilmar Ábrego García will permanently reside in El Salvador despite a court ruling favoring his return to the US.
A man who officials have acknowledged was wrongly deported to a prison in El Salvador "will never live" in the US again, according to the White House. Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national, was deported from Maryland after being accused of ties to the banned MS-13 gang, a claim his lawyer has refuted. Despite a judge's order mandating President Donald Trump's administration to facilitate his return to the US, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele claimed he lacks the authority to comply.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated accusations against Ábrego García, labeling him a gang member and citing allegations of domestic violence, which include a protective order filed by his US citizen wife. Leavitt asserted in a press briefing, "If he [Mr. Ábrego García] ever ends up back in the United States, he would immediately be deported again. He will never live in the United States of America."
The 29-year-old has faced ongoing scrutiny, but his lawyer and family have contested the narrative presented by the government. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, explained that the restraining order filed in 2021 was precautionary, asserting that the couple has since reconciled with the help of counseling.
Mr. Ábrego García was living peacefully in Maryland until he was deported on March 15 alongside numerous Salvadorans and Venezuelans. A Maryland judge ruled that his deportation breached a prior court order from 2019, which granted him legal protection against removal. The US Supreme Court supported the lower court's ruling last week, compelling the administration to "facilitate" his release.
While Judge Paula Xinis seeks daily updates on the measures being taken to secure his return, the Department of Homeland Security provided a status report indicating "no further updates." Leavitt's comments came amid a rising conflict between the president and the judiciary regarding immigration policies. Additionally, the White House faced backlash, as Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat from Maryland, attempted to meet with Mr. Ábrego García in El Salvador but was denied entry.
During his visit, Van Hollen addressed the need for justice in the case, calling for the release of a man who hasn't been charged with any crime. The White House countered by highlighting that Van Hollen failed to reach out to the family of Rachel Morin, a Maryland woman murdered by an alleged illegal immigrant, indicating the political tensions surrounding the case.
In a sign of growing discontent, Republican lawmakers, like West Virginia's Riley Moore, gained access to the prison where Ábrego García is held, showcasing the deep divides and heated discussions surrounding immigration policy and enforcement in the United States.
