Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly deported to El Salvador, is reported as "alive and secure" by U.S. officials after a Supreme Court ruling mandates his return due to an administrative error, despite ongoing disputes regarding his alleged gang affiliations.
Mistakenly Deported Man Found Safe; Supreme Court Mandates His Return
Mistakenly Deported Man Found Safe; Supreme Court Mandates His Return
U.S. officials confirm Kilmar Abrego Garcia's safety in El Salvador as the Supreme Court orders his return following an administrative error in his deportation.
A man who was mistakenly deported from Maryland to a high-security facility in El Salvador has been confirmed "alive and secure" by a U.S. official. The update on Kilmar Abrego Garcia came shortly after the Supreme Court directed the Trump administration to ensure his safe return to the U.S.
State Department official Michael Kozak informed the court that Garcia is currently housed in the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador. This follows a ruling where the Supreme Court asserted that the Trump administration needed to facilitate Garcia's release and repatriation, after he was among over 200 migrants deported due to an administrative error.
The U.S. government has acknowledged the mistake but asserts that Garcia is connected to the notorious MS-13 gang, a claim his attorney refutes. In 2019, an immigration judge had granted him protection against deportation, citing potential threats of violence from gangs in his home country.
The situation became a focal point this week as President Trump prepared for a meeting with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele, who has cooperated with U.S. deportation policies. Despite the Supreme Court's backing for Garcia's return, the Trump administration has previously resisted such actions, contending that a judge's orders overstepped their authority.
On Friday, Judge Paula Xinis required the administration to supply daily updates regarding Garcia's repatriation, amid accusations from his legal team that the government was attempting to stall the process. Garcia, who entered the U.S. illegally as a teenager, was apprehended in Maryland in 2019 and has since fought to avoid returning to a country he fears.
Trump, in comments made ahead of his meeting with Bukele, indicated his willingness to respect the Supreme Court's directives regarding Garcia. He later took to his Truth Social platform to express gratitude to Bukele for accepting deported individuals, describing them as "barbarians" no longer able to threaten American citizens.
