Trump administration admits error in deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia was arrested in March 2019 for seeking employment illegally and was flagged as a verified member of MS-13.
- He was granted a protective order against deportation due to credible fears of persecution in El Salvador.
- His deportation to a Salvadoran prison has raised significant concerns regarding administrative errors and the safety of mistaken deportations.
In March 2019, Kilmar Abrego Garcia was arrested while seeking employment illegally in the United States. A judge deemed him a verified member of MS-13 and ordered his deportation. However, Garcia’s immigration judge later recognized that deporting him to El Salvador could lead to severe persecution due to gang violence. On March 15, 2023, Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration despite this protective order, marking a significant administrative error. Garcia's wife and legal team have been fighting for his return, expressing concerns for his safety in a notorious prison environment, where he was sent among alleged gang members. As part of a broader policy under the Trump administration invoking the Alien Enemies Act, this oversight highlights issues related to illegal immigration and the treatment of individuals granted temporary protection in the U.S. Furthermore, Vice President JD Vance incorrectly characterized Garcia as a gang member, prompting additional scrutiny on misrepresentation by the administration. The couple's attorney aims to challenge the systemic deportation practices that disregard such protections, emphasizing the need for legal recourse in similar cases. Garcia’s wife has voiced her fear for her husband’s life, recognizing the perilous nature of El Salvador's prisons.