President Bukele of El Salvador made it clear in a meeting with President Trump that he would not be returning a Maryland man who was wrongly deported from the United States to a notorious Salvadoran prison. The man, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, was deported due to an administrative error despite a court ruling that he should return to the U.S. Both leaders struck a combative tone over the case, with Mr. Trump even discussing the possibility of sending American citizens convicted of violent crimes to prison in El Salvador.
Mr. Abrego Garcia, who has never been charged or convicted of being in a gang, fled violence in El Salvador in 2011 and sought refuge in the U.S. Immigration judge had ruled against his deportation back to El Salvador, citing concerns of violence or torture. Despite this, both leaders seem committed to keeping Mr. Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, with claims that doing otherwise would be akin to smuggling a terrorist into the United States.
The Justice Department, in a sworn statement and a legal filing, has defended the decision to keep Mr. Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, citing a lack of ability for the courts to dictate foreign policy decisions. The Trump administration has invoked a wartime authority to deport migrants to El Salvador on allegations of gang membership, even when the evidence used to label them as such seems flimsy at best. Senator Van Hollen has expressed interest in discussing Mr. Abrego Garcia’s return, and the administration has doubled down on its ties with El Salvador by sending more alleged gang members there over the weekend.
President Bukele has positioned himself as a key ally to President Trump through his tough-on-crime policies and willingness to cooperate on immigration issues. Despite concerns raised by human rights groups about mass arrests and disappearances in Salvadoran prisons, both leaders have shown a willingness to align their agendas. Their meeting touched on various topics beyond immigration, including criticism of politicians supporting transgender athletes in women’s sports.
President Bukele’s popularity has soared in El Salvador, leading to a landslide re-election last year. The Trump administration has praised his efforts to reduce gang violence in the country, despite previous accusations of favoritism towards gang leaders. The meeting between Mr. Bukele and Mr. Trump showcased their shared views on law and order, with both leaders being criticized for their authoritarian tendencies and lack of due process.
Despite calls for accountability and contempt citations from lawmakers, it remains unclear whether Mr. Abrego Garcia will be returned to the United States. The case has raised concerns about the rule of law and the use of wartime authorities to deport migrants without proper evidence. As both leaders continue to stand firm on their stance, the fate of Mr. Abrego Garcia hangs in the balance, with his family expressing frustration at being caught in the middle of political games.
