A federal judge ordered the immediate return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the US after his wrongful deportation to El Salvador, where he was imprisoned. The judge deemed the deportation an illegal act, as the Justice Department offered no explanation for his removal despite possessing no legal authority to arrest him. Abrego Garcia, who had legal work authorization and protection from deportation, was wrongly accused of gang affiliation based on unsubstantiated claims. His wife, a US citizen, and their children await his return.
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Despite possessing protected immigration status, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorian immigrant with asylum, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador by ICE due to an administrative error. This resulted in his immediate incarceration in the notorious CECOT prison, prompting his family to sue the U.S. government. The Trump administration claims it lacks jurisdiction to intervene, arguing it no longer has custody of Abrego Garcia. This incident follows a pattern of controversial deportations to El Salvador, raising serious concerns about due process and human rights violations.
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Following vandalism targeting Tesla, former President Trump threatened 20-year prison sentences in El Salvador for perpetrators, a threat legal experts deem unconstitutional and unlawful. This follows Trump’s recent deportation of alleged gang members to El Salvador and his support of Elon Musk’s Tesla amidst public backlash. Critics like Sherrilyn Ifill warn of the potential for this to become a precedent for sending U.S. citizens to foreign prisons. The legality of such actions is highly questionable, violating both U.S. law and the Constitution, according to legal experts.
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Many of the alleged gang members deported to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador did not have criminal records, according to sworn filings by ICE Enforcement. This revelation raises serious questions about the due process afforded to these individuals and the justification used for their deportation. The lack of evidence, rather than being a hindrance, seems to have been presented as proof of guilt.
The argument presented – that the absence of specific information highlights the risk posed by these individuals and demonstrates their terrorist nature – is deeply troubling. It suggests a pre-determined conclusion where a lack of evidence is twisted into proof of guilt, effectively inverting the principle of innocent until proven guilty.… Continue reading
Despite a US judge’s order halting deportations, hundreds of alleged gang members were deported from the US to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act. These individuals were immediately transferred to El Salvador’s high-capacity Terrorism Confinement Center for a potentially extended period. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio thanked El Salvador’s President Bukele for his cooperation, highlighting the strengthening diplomatic ties between the two countries. This action reflects President Trump’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal immigration and designates the deportations as a key component of his administration’s security agenda.
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Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an unprecedented agreement with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, whereby El Salvador will accept deportees of any nationality from the U.S., including American criminals. Bukele confirmed this, stating El Salvador would outsource a portion of the U.S. prison system for a fee, making its own system sustainable. While the U.S. currently has no plans to deport U.S. citizens, the offer is significant, though concerns exist regarding El Salvador’s prison conditions and human rights implications. This agreement, part of a broader Trump administration initiative to curb illegal immigration, is a “safe third country” agreement, potentially applicable to Venezuelan gang members and others.
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El Salvador and the US have reached an unprecedented agreement where El Salvador will house US criminals and deportees of any nationality, including those from MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, in exchange for a fee. This deal, announced by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, allows for the deportation of non-Salvadoran criminals to El Salvador and the transfer of US-incarcerated criminals to El Salvador’s mega-prison, CECOT. The agreement has sparked condemnation from human rights groups who cite concerns about democratic backsliding and the violation of migrant rights. Critics also highlight El Salvador’s high incarceration rate and the potential for the detention of innocent individuals under its state of emergency.
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El Salvador concluded 2024 with a record-low 114 homicides, a dramatic decrease from 2015’s 6,656 and even 2023’s 214. This reduction follows a second year under a state of emergency granting the government extensive powers, leading to over 83,000 arrests. While this has significantly improved public safety and boosted President Bukele’s popularity, concerns remain regarding human rights violations and the continued justification for the state of emergency. The drastic security improvements, however, have undeniably transformed daily life for many Salvadorans.
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El Salvador has garnered significant attention recently due to the election victory of Nayib Bukele, the millennial president who has been labeled the “world’s coolest dictator.” Bukele’s fiery victory speech, in which he boasted that El Salvador would be the first country with “a one-party system in a democracy,” has raised concerns about the country’s democratic future. On one hand, Bukele’s popularity stems from his successful war on gangs, which has greatly improved the safety and security of the country. However, his critics accuse him of stifling the courts and silencing opposition, leading to fears of an authoritarian regime.
It is crucial to understand the context in which Bukele emerged as a popular figure.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood