El Salvador President Refuses to Return U.S. Man Deported by Mistake
El Salvador President Nayib Bukele says he will not return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man deported in March due to an administrative error. Despite a U.S. court order and confirmation that Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported, Bukele dismissed the request for his return as “preposterous.”
This El Salvador president deportation case has raised legal, human rights, and diplomatic concerns, especially as Abrego Garcia remains jailed in a high-security anti-gang facility in El Salvador.
How Did the Mistake Happen?
Abrego Garcia, 29, is married to a U.S. citizen and was previously granted protection from deportation in 2019. Still, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement mistakenly removed him to El Salvador on March 15, 2025, violating that legal order.
The U.S. Justice Department acknowledged the error in a Supreme Court filing, admitting that the specific deportation destination was wrong but argued that the act of deportation itself was not.
El Salvador Refuses to Comply
During a meeting at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump, Bukele rejected calls to return Abrego Garcia. He insisted El Salvador had no obligation to send the man back and accused him—without presenting evidence—of being a terrorist linked to gang activity.
“How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States?” Bukele said, alongside Trump in the Oval Office.
Trump Doubles Down on Deportation Policy
President Trump praised Bukele’s efforts, urging him to build more mega-prisons to house U.S. deportees. Trump also floated the controversial idea of deporting American citizens who commit violent crimes, despite legal constraints.
Cabinet officials, including Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, supported Bukele’s stance. They labeled Abrego Garcia as a member of MS-13, although no formal U.S. criminal charges or extradition procedures have been initiated.
Legal Orders and Human Rights Concerns
Earlier this month, Judge Paula Xinis ordered the administration to “facilitate and effectuate” Abrego Garcia’s return. But the Supreme Court ruled that the term “effectuate” might exceed judicial authority, creating a gray area around compliance.
Meanwhile, human rights groups warn of worsening conditions inside the Terrorism Confinement Center, the prison where Abrego Garcia is being held. Critics allege arbitrary arrests, lack of due process, and torture in facilities heavily promoted by Bukele’s administration.
Background on Bukele’s Security Policies
Bukele has earned global attention for his crackdown on gangs, often at the expense of democratic norms. He removed constitutional judges, pushed to eliminate term limits, and oversaw the mass incarceration of young men—sometimes without trial.
The Biden administration previously accused Bukele of secretly negotiating with gangs to reduce violence, offering benefits like cellphones, money, and even prostitutes to imprisoned gang leaders. Bukele denies those claims.
What’s Next?
As of now, Abrego Garcia remains imprisoned, and the U.S. administration under Trump appears unwilling to take further steps to bring him back. With El Salvador refusing cooperation and U.S. courts issuing mixed rulings, the case highlights growing tensions between legal orders, human rights, and international politics.
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