Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Maryland resident and father of three, is at the center of a growing legal dispute following his wrongful deportation to El Salvador, despite a US court order protecting him from removal. Garcia’s case has sparked outrage over the administration’s handling of immigration policy and has prompted a call for his immediate return to the United States.
Garcia, who had been living in Maryland with his American wife and son, was forcibly deported in March 2025 after over a decade of residing in the US. His removal was due to what the Trump administration later admitted was an “administrative error.” Despite this acknowledgment, Garcia was deported under claims of gang affiliation, particularly with the MS-13, which were never substantiated.
The father of three, a sheet metal apprentice, had previously faced legal troubles in March 2019 when he was detained in Hyattsville, Maryland, following a tip and accusations based on his clothing. He was later cleared of charges, and it was revealed that there were inconsistencies in the police records. One officer involved was even convicted of misconduct in a separate case. Despite these claims, an immigration judge granted Garcia protection from deportation, recognizing his well-founded fear of gang persecution in El Salvador. He was granted withholding of removal status and remained in the US under supervision.
However, Garcia was deported in March 2025, in direct violation of the court’s order. The Biden administration has argued that it lacks jurisdiction to return him, despite federal and Supreme Court orders instructing the government to facilitate his return. Garcia is now incarcerated in one of El Salvador’s megaprison facilities, raising concerns for his safety.
His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, has strongly defended him, calling the deportation a wrongful act. “No one is perfect, but that is not a justification for ICE’s action of abducting him and deporting him,” she stated.
On April 17, Garcia was briefly released from prison to meet with US Senator Chris Van Hollen, marking his first contact with anyone outside prison since his detention. Senator Van Hollen described Garcia’s situation as an “illegal abduction,” calling for his immediate return to the US.
Despite public outcry, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele confirmed that Garcia would remain incarcerated but assured that he was in good health. Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security continues to allege Garcia’s involvement in a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee where human trafficking was suspected. However, no charges were filed, and Garcia’s legal team maintains that these allegations are baseless.
The case has ignited further debate over the US government’s immigration enforcement policies and the rights of individuals under deportation orders. Garcia’s family and legal team are pushing for his swift return, while lawmakers continue to question the legality of his deportation and the broader implications for immigrant rights in the United States.
