Background on Kilmar Ábrego García
Kilmar Ábrego García, a 29-year-old Salvadoran migrant, resided in Maryland until he became one of over 200 migrants sent to a prison in El Salvador in March as part of President Donald Trump’s crackdown on irregular migration.
The Incident
Ábrego García was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and subsequently returned to the United States on Friday for processing related to alleged human trafficking, according to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi.
This development follows a tug-of-war between the government and federal courts, including the Supreme Court, which ordered the facilitation of his return after nearly three months in a Salvadoran prison.
Government’s Stance
Attorney General Bondi stated that Ábrego García has returned to face justice, emphasizing an arrest warrant presented to El Salvador and their agreement to send him back.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele confirmed cooperation, stating that if the Trump administration requested the return of a gang member to face charges, they would comply.
White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson clarified that Ábrego García’s return is unrelated to his original deportation.
“No Error” in Deportation
Jackson clarified on X that there was “no error,” stating that new investigations have uncovered heinous crimes committed in the U.S., warranting full accountability only through the U.S. judicial system.
Ábrego García, a 29-year-old resident of Maryland, was living there until he was among those sent to a Salvadoran prison in March as part of Trump’s irregular migration offensive.
The administration deported around 238 Venezuelans, including alleged members of the Tren de Aragua gang, under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act, previously used only during wartime.
Some were also alleged MS-13 members.
Though accused by the government of being an MS-13 member, Ábrego García, married to a U.S. citizen, has never been convicted of this claim, which his family and lawyers deny.
The Department of Justice acknowledged that Ábrego García was deported due to an “administrative error.” However, a court permanently revoked his deportation possibility to El Salvador in 2019.
Accusations Against Ábrego García
Bondi asserted that Ábrego García played a significant role in a migrant trafficking network, dealing with children, women, MS-13 members, and terrorist organizations across the country.
She accused him of trafficking arms and narcotics multiple times throughout the country and linking him to a people-smaking network responsible for over 50 migrant deaths in Mexico after a trailer accident in 2021.
Return and Future Proceedings
Bondi stated that Ábrego García will be returned to El Salvador upon completing his sentence if found guilty.
Senator Chris Van Hollen, who visited Ábrego García in El Salvador, praised his return.
“For months, the Trump administration defied the Supreme Court and our Constitution,” Senator Van Hollen declared in a statement.
“The administration will now have to present its case before the courts, as it should have done from the start,” he added.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Kilmar Ábrego García? A 29-year-old Salvadoran migrant who lived in Maryland until he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March 2023.
- Why was Ábrego García returned to the U.S.? He was returned due to new investigations revealing serious crimes committed in the U.S., requiring accountability through the U.S. judicial system.
- What are the accusations against Ábrego García? He is accused of human trafficking, dealing with children and women, being part of the MS-13 gang, and links to terrorist organizations. He is also accused of trafficking arms and narcotics.
- What will happen to Ábrego García if found guilty? If convicted, he will serve his sentence in the U.S. and be deported to El Salvador upon completion.
