Background on Kilmar Ábrego García
Kilmar Ábrego García is a Salvadoran migrant who was mistakenly deported from the United States by the Trump administration. He arrived in El Salvador on March 16, 2019, along with 238 Venezuelans and 22 other Salvadorans. The U.S. government accused them of being criminals without providing any evidence.
Delegation of US Lawmakers Visits El Salvador
A delegation of four Democratic U.S. lawmakers visited El Salvador to advocate for the return of Kilmar Ábrego García, who has been detained in El Salvador following his erroneous deportation.
- Senator Chris Van Hollen (Maryland) visited El Salvador last week with the same purpose and managed to meet Ábrego García after efforts.
- The delegation includes Representative Yassamin Ansari (Arizona), Maxwell Frost (Florida), Robert García (California), and Maxine Dexter (Oregon).
In less than a month, El Salvador has received 288 deportees, with 252 being Venezuelans and 32 Salvadorans. The majority are held in detention.
US Government’s Claims and Evidence Against Ábrego García
The Trump administration acknowledged that Ábrego García’s deportation was due to an “administrative error,” but they refuse to bring him back, claiming he is a member of the MS-13 gang, labeled as a global terrorist organization by Washington.
- Ábrego García initially claimed he was held at the ‘Cecot,’ a large prison for gang members, before being transferred to a penitentiary in the western department of Santa Ana.
- Judge Paula Xinis stated that the “evidence” presented by the Trump administration against Ábrego García is based solely on his Chicago Bulls cap, a hoodie, and an uncorroborated claim by an informant that he was part of the MS-13 branch in New York, a place where he never lived.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Kilmar Ábrego García? Kilmar Ábrego García is a Salvadoran migrant who was mistakenly deported from the United States by the Trump administration.
- Why are US lawmakers advocating for his freedom? The lawmakers want to ensure Ábrego García’s safety and access to legal representation.
- What is the basis of the US government’s claims against Ábrego García? The U.S. government accuses him of being a member of the MS-13 gang, citing his clothing and an uncorroborated informant’s claim.
- What is the current status of deportees in El Salvador? In less than a month, El Salvador has received 288 deportees, with the majority being held in detention.
