Chicago Sunday, April 13, 2025
Maryland Man Wrongly Deported to El Salvador Remains Detained
Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen living in Maryland, was wrongly deported to El Salvador and is currently being held at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a maximum-security prison. Despite having a U.S. immigration judge’s order protecting him from removal to El Salvador since 2019, Abrego Garcia was taken into custody by ICE officials on March 12, 2025, and deported three days later.
Background of the Case
Abrego Garcia has lived in the U.S. for almost 15 years, has a wife, and a five-year-old son, both of whom are U.S. citizens. His son has special needs, including autism and a hearing defect. Abrego Garcia was granted protection from deportation due to concerns about gang threats in El Salvador. The Trump administration claims he is a member of the MS-13 gang, but Abrego Garcia denies this, and there’s no evidence to support the claim.
Supreme Court Ruling and Current Developments
The Supreme Court recently upheld a federal judge’s order for the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S. Judge Paula Xinis directed the government to take all available steps to bring Abrego Garcia back as soon as possible. However, the government has delayed providing updates on their efforts, citing the need for more time to review the Supreme Court’s decision.
Current Status
As of April 12, 2025, Abrego Garcia is alive and being held at CECOT, according to a government filing. The U.S. government claims it has no jurisdiction over Abrego Garcia’s detention in El Salvador, while Judge Xinis argues that the court has the authority to order his return. The case highlights issues within the U.S. immigration system and the challenges faced by immigrants like Abrego Garcia.
