Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, born in 1995 in San Salvador, El Salvador, is at the center of a significant immigration controversy. Fleeing gang threats from Barrio 18, he entered the U.S. illegally in 2011 at age 16. Settling in Maryland, he worked in construction and, in 2016, met Jennifer Vasquez Sura, a U.S. citizen. They married in 2019 and have a son with autism and deafness.
In 2019, Abrego Garcia was arrested by ICE on allegations of gang affiliation, which he denied. An immigration judge barred his deportation to El Salvador, citing credible fear of persecution. Despite this, on March 15, 2025, he was deported due to what the Trump administration termed an “administrative error.” He was imprisoned without trial in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the government must “facilitate” his release but did not mandate his return. Supreme Court El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele refuses to release him, labeling him a terrorist. News The Trump administration contends it has fulfilled its obligation by offering to accept him if released. Wikipedia
This case has drawn criticism from civil rights groups and unions, highlighting concerns about immigration enforcement and due process. SMART Union Abrego Garcia’s situation underscores the complexities of immigration policy and the challenges faced by individuals caught in its crosshairs.