Trump administration brings back deported immigrant to face charges

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Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran illegal immigrant who became a symbol of Democratic opposition to President Trump’s deportation policies, has been returned to the U.S. to face criminal charges after spending months in El Salvador following his deportation in March.

The Trump administration initially deported Mr. Abrego Garcia on March 15 as an accused MS-13 member, despite a 2019 immigration judge ruling that blocked his deportation due to fears he would face persecution from the rival 18th Street gang in El Salvador.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland made a high-profile visit to El Salvador to meet with Mr. Abrego Garcia. Sen. Van Hollen defended him as a wronged “Maryland father” and demanded his return based on constitutional rights violations.

However, the Justice Department has now filed an indictment revealing extensive criminal allegations against Mr. Abrego Garcia. According to court documents, he operated as a human smuggler for nine years, helping “thousands” of illegal immigrants enter the U.S., including gang members and unaccompanied children. Prosecutors allege he transported approximately 50 people monthly and used his MS-13 connections to facilitate smuggling operations.

Mr. Abrego Garcia is also accused of smuggling drugs and firearms. He is being investigated in relation to alleged solicitation of child pornography by requesting nude photos and videos from a minor, but no charges have been filed. 

The government also revealed that his claimed fear of persecution in El Salvador actually stemmed from his alleged participation in murdering an 18th Street gang member’s mother.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Mr. Abrego Garcia’s return, stating he “has landed in the United States to face justice.” The administration obtained his return by securing an indictment and presenting El Salvador with an arrest warrant.

Mr. Abrego Garcia’s lawyers, in court documents filed Sunday, called the charges a cop-out for the government.

“Two things are now crystal clear. First, the government has always had the ability to return Abrego Garcia, but it has simply refused to do so. Second, the government has conducted a determined stalling campaign to stave off contempt sanctions long enough to concoct a politically face-saving exit from its own predicament,” said Andrew Rossman, Mr. Abrego Garcia’s lead lawyer.

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