Senator Chris Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador to secure the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, wrongfully deported due to administrative error, has sparked a fierce backlash from the Trump administration. The White House accuses Abrego Garcia of MS-13 ties, despite his lack of criminal record and a Supreme Court ruling against his deportation. This has led to a concerted campaign against Van Hollen, including a press email highlighting Maryland crime statistics and the creation of a mocking meme. The Trump administration’s actions are in direct contrast to a Supreme Court decision ordering Abrego Garcia’s return.
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Jesse Watters, a Fox News host, defended the Trump administration’s refusal to return illegally deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States, despite a Supreme Court ruling. Watters baselessly linked Abrego Garcia’s Chicago Bulls hat to MS-13 gang affiliation and mocked his claim of fleeing El Salvador due to gang threats against his family’s business. A federal judge ordered the administration to comply with the Supreme Court’s decision, while the administration continues to allege, without providing evidence, that Abrego Garcia is a dangerous gang member. This comes despite an immigration judge dismissing gang affiliation claims and granting Abrego Garcia withholding of removal.
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Federal Judge Paula Xinis sharply criticized the Trump administration for its handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation, accusing them of ignoring court orders and obstructing justice. The administration defiantly claimed that even if returned, Abrego Garcia would be immediately re-deported due to alleged MS-13 ties, despite accusations of misinterpreting court orders to “facilitate” his return. Judge Xinis rejected the administration’s arguments, ordering two weeks of intensive discovery and emphasizing the urgency of Abrego Garcia’s situation, highlighting the daily harm to him and his family. The judge’s rebuke follows the Supreme Court’s upholding of her previous order mandating the administration facilitate Abrego Garcia’s release from a Salvadoran prison. The administration’s actions have been met with outrage from Abrego Garcia’s wife and widespread protest.
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President Bukele refused President Trump’s request to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the U.S., citing the absurdity of facilitating the man’s re-entry after his deportation, which the Justice Department admits was erroneous. Despite a Supreme Court order deeming the deportation illegal and directing the administration to facilitate Garcia’s return, administration officials, including Stephen Miller, contradicted the Justice Department’s acknowledgment of error, claiming the deportation was justified. This disagreement stems from conflicting views on Garcia’s alleged MS-13 affiliation and the extent of judicial authority over foreign policy.
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Following a Supreme Court order to “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, illegally deported to El Salvador, the Trump administration argues it has no obligation to bring him back to the U.S. The Justice Department claims “facilitate” refers only to removing domestic obstacles to his return, not actively securing his release from El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison. Simultaneously, the administration refuses to release details of its agreement with El Salvador to hold deported migrants, citing various privileges. Despite the Supreme Court deeming Abrego Garcia’s deportation illegal, the Department of Homeland Security contends his protection from removal is invalid due to alleged MS-13 gang membership.
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On March 31st, ICE agents, without a warrant, forcibly removed Elsy Noemi Berrios from her car in Westminster, Maryland, while her daughter filmed the incident. The arrest stemmed from allegations of MS-13 gang association, vehemently denied by Berrios and her daughter, Karen Cruz Berrios. Berrios, who is seeking asylum and has work authorization, is currently detained in Pennsylvania awaiting a bond hearing. The incident highlights concerns about ICE enforcement tactics and the potential for mistaken identity or false accusations in deportation cases.
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The Justice Department appealed a court order mandating the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite a prior ruling granting him protection from deportation. The government argues the order to compel action from a foreign sovereign is unconstitutional, and it suspended the attorney who admitted the deportation was an error. The appeals court requested a response from Abrego Garcia’s lawyers. The White House maintains Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, a claim his lawyers deny. Abrego Garcia’s deportation has raised concerns about the handling of non-citizens granted permission to remain in the U.S.
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Vice President Vance defended the Trump administration’s erroneous deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man with protected status, to El Salvador’s “Terrorism Confinement Center.” Vance argued that concern over the deportation should be secondary to the crimes committed by gang members against U.S. citizens. The administration, while admitting the mistake, contends that U.S. courts lack jurisdiction to intervene. Abrego Garcia’s deportation stemmed from a March 15th operation targeting alleged gang members, with the administration asserting that those deported were the “worst of the worst,” despite criticism of their methods for identifying gang affiliations. The administration maintains that Abrego Garcia’s past allegations of MS-13 involvement negate his protected status, though he was never convicted.
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Mexican authorities apprehended Francisco Javier Román-Bardales, a top MS-13 leader and FBI Ten Most Wanted Fugitive, on the Teocelo-Baxtla highway in Veracruz. The arrest, reportedly resulting in his transfer to Mexico City and subsequent deportation to the US, followed accusations of directing MS-13 activities across North and Central America and involvement in numerous violent crimes. Román-Bardales faces US charges including conspiracy to support terrorism and racketeering. A $250,000 reward had been offered for his capture.
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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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John Q. Hosedrinker