The administration of President Donald Trump has acknowledged an error in deporting a Maryland man with protected legal status to El Salvador, specifically to one of its notorious prisons. Despite recognizing the mistake, there is resistance from the U.S. government in bringing the man back due to his alleged gang affiliations and the limitations of U.S. authority over El Salvador. The individual in question, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, was deported in March even though an immigration court had prohibited his removal.
Since March, El Salvador has accepted over 200 Venezuelan immigrants from the United States, with the Trump administration alleging their involvement in gang activities and violent crimes. These individuals, including Garcia, have been placed in a maximum-security prison near San Salvador as part of an agreement with the Salvadoran government. The deal involves a $6 million payment from the U.S. for one year of services.
President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador has emphasized the country’s tough prison system as a key component of his anti-crime initiatives. In 2023, the Terrorism Confinement Center, known as CECOT, was unveiled, becoming the facility where the recently arrived immigrants were sent. This development was highlighted during a recent prison tour by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
For further information on the situation, Maryland Senator Van Hollen has engaged in discussions with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador concerning his potential return to the United States amidst ongoing court proceedings. Additionally, a related appeals court has expressed shock over the Trump administration’s stance on the deportation of Abrego Garcia.