A man who officials have acknowledged was wrongly deported to a prison in El Salvador "will never live" in the US again, the White House has said. Salvadoran national Kilmar Ábrego García was deported to Central America from Maryland after he was accused of being a member of the banned MS-13 gang, which his lawyer has denied. A judge has ordered President Donald Trump's administration to secure his return to the US - but El Salvador President Nayib Bukele said earlier this week that he did not "have the power" to do so. On Wednesday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt doubled down on accusations that Mr Ábrego García is a gang member and accused the 29-year-old of domestic violence. She cited records showing his US citizen wife once filed a protective order against him. It comes amid an escalating showdown between the president and the judiciary on immigration, as a judge in another case said the administrationcould be held in contempt of courtover deportation flights. Leavitt told a press briefing: "If he [Mr Ábrego García] ever ends up back in the United States, he would immediately be deported again. "He will never live in the United States of America." She again accused Mr Ábrego García of being a member of the MS-13 gang, citing court findings, but his lawyer and family have rejected that he was ever in the gang. The press secretary also called Mr Ábrego García a "woman beater", referring to a domestic violence claim. The Department of Homeland Security released details of a 2021 restraining order filed by his wife, who alleged he punched and scratched her and ripped off her shirt. Mr Ábrego García's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, told Newsweek on Wednesday that she sought the order "out of caution". She said they were able to resolve the situation as a family, including by counselling. The BBC contacted Mr Ábrego García's lawyer, Benjamin Osorio, about the domestic violence allegation. The attorney responded by email: "Is the government allowed to admittedly break the law if an individual is alleged to have broken the law?" Mr Ábrego García was living in Maryland, before he was deported on 15 March with scores of Salvadorans and Venezuelans to the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (Cecot) in El Salvador. Maryland Judge Paula Xinis ruled that Mr Ábrego García's removal from the country breached a 2019 court order that had granted him legal protection from deportation. The US Supreme Court last week partially upheld the lower court ruling, finding that the Trump administration must "facilitate" Mr Ábrego García's release. Trump administration officials have conceded the deportation was an "administrative error", although the White House insists there was no mistake. Judge Xinis has requested daily updates on what steps are being undertaken to bring him back to the US. But in Wednesday's status report, acting general counsel at the Department of Homeland Security Joseph Mazzara told the court there were "no further updates". The White House press secretary was joined at Wednesday's briefing by the mother of a Maryland woman who was murdered in August 2023 by an alleged illegal immigrant from El Salvador. Patty Morin shared graphic details of her daughter Rachel Morin's death at the hands of Victor Martinez-Hernandez, who was found guilty on Monday. "We are American citizens," said Patty Morin. "We need to protect our families, our borders, our children." Meanwhile, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, flew to El Salvador in an attempt to speak with Mr Ábrego García, but was denied access on Wednesday. Van Hollen met the country's Vice-President Félix Ulloa, who told the US senator they could not accommodate a visit to the mega-prison. In a press conference in the capital San Salvador, Van Hollen called on the Central American country to release "a man who's charged with no crime, convicted of no crime and who was illegally abducted from the United States". The White House hit back in a press release that Van Hollen "didn't even bother to contact" the family of Rachel Morin after her death. Van Hollen's rebuff came a day after another US member of Congress, West Virginia Republican Riley Moore, was allowed by Salvadoran authorities to enter the prison. Moore posted a selfie in front of a crowded cell, saying the visit had made him even more determined to "support President Trump's efforts to secure our homeland".
Man deported to El Salvador will never live in US, says White House
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"White House Confirms Wrongfully Deported Salvadoran Will Not Return to US"
Bbc News
5.6
TruthLens AI Summary
The White House has declared that Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador, will never return to the United States. García was deported from Maryland after being accused of gang affiliation with the notorious MS-13, a claim his lawyer vehemently denies. Despite a court ruling that ordered the Trump administration to facilitate his return, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele stated that he lacked the authority to comply. During a press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated allegations against García, including claims of domestic violence, citing a protective order filed by his wife. The situation has escalated amid tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary regarding immigration policies, as courts have begun to push back against deportation practices that they deem unlawful.
García's deportation has sparked significant controversy, especially since a Maryland judge ruled that his removal violated a previous court order protecting him from deportation. The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld this ruling, mandating that the administration must act to return him. However, the Department of Homeland Security has reported no updates on his situation. Meanwhile, Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador to advocate for García, but was denied access to meet him. Van Hollen's calls for the release of García, who has not been charged with any crime, were met with a sharp response from the White House, which criticized him for not reaching out to the family of a murder victim connected to an illegal immigrant. This case highlights the growing complexities and contentious debates surrounding immigration enforcement and judicial oversight in the United States, as both sides continue to assert their positions amidst an ongoing legal and political battle.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The case of Kilmar Ábrego García highlights the complex intersection of immigration policy, legal battles, and political rhetoric in the U.S. The White House's firm stance on his deportation, despite judicial pushback, underscores the polarized debate around gang-related accusations and domestic violence claims. This narrative is unfolding against a backdrop of heightened tensions between the executive branch and the judiciary on immigration enforcement.
Political and Legal Context
The White House's insistence that Ábrego García is an MS-13 member and a domestic abuser—despite his lawyer’s denials—reflects a broader strategy to frame immigration enforcement as a matter of public safety. The administration's refusal to comply with a judge’s order to return him to the U.S. suggests a willingness to challenge judicial authority, possibly to reinforce a tough-on-immigration image ahead of elections.
Media and Public Perception
The framing of Ábrego García as a dangerous individual serves to galvanize supporters of strict immigration policies while diverting attention from potential due process violations. The domestic violence allegation, though contested by his wife as resolved "out of caution," adds a moral dimension to justify his deportation. This aligns with a recurring narrative that conflates immigration with criminality.
International Implications
El Salvador’s President Bukele’s claim that he lacks the power to facilitate Ábrego García’s return hints at diplomatic friction. The case could strain U.S.-El Salvador relations, especially if perceived as unilateral enforcement overriding foreign sovereignty.
Manipulation and Reliability
The selective emphasis on unproven gang ties and past domestic disputes raises concerns about manipulative storytelling. While the domestic violence restraining order is a matter of record, its resolution through family counseling is downplayed. The White House’s categorical dismissal of Ábrego García’s future in the U.S., despite legal proceedings, leans toward political theater rather than objective reporting.
Target Audience and Economic Impact
This narrative resonates with conservative factions advocating for stringent border controls but may alienate immigrant communities and civil rights advocates. The immediate economic impact is likely minimal, though prolonged legal battles could strain resources.
AI and Narrative Influence
If AI tools were used, they might amplify polarized language (e.g., "woman beater") to evoke emotional responses. Models like Deepseek R1 could skew content toward anti-immigration angles, but there’s no direct evidence here. The tone suggests human editorial bias more than algorithmic intervention.
Trustworthiness
The report is moderately reliable but suffers from omitting counterarguments (e.g., the wife’s clarification) and over-relying on administrative assertions. Readers should cross-check claims with legal filings for balance.