Kilmar Ábrego García, a man from Maryland who was deported to El Salvador in March "by mistake," returned to the United States this Friday, where he will face charges for alleged human trafficking, according to reports from the agency EFE.
Attorney General Pam Bondi stated at a press conference this Friday that Ábrego García allegedly made over 100 trips to transport illegal immigrants across the United States, and claimed that he was a member of the Salvadoran gang MS-13.
"Smuggled thousands of illegal immigrants," he stated. Ábrego García "traded in the innocence of children in exchange for profits," Bondi concluded, adding that he would be convicted and returned to El Salvador to be imprisoned.
The prosecutor linked the man to serious crimes, such as murders and assaults on women, despite the fact that he has only been accused in connection with smuggling.
He also mentioned, without providing evidence, that his life in Maryland as a contractor, father, and husband was a "front" for criminal activities for nine years.
For her part, the Secretary of National Security, Kristi Noem, launched an attack against the media and the Democrats for "glorifying" García.
In a social media post, he stated that the Government has "overwhelming evidence" against him for charges of human trafficking and conspiracy. "Justice awaits this Salvadoran," said Noem.
Since the beginning of the case, officials in the Trump administration have tried to depict Ábrego García, who has lived illegally in the United States without a criminal record for years, as a member of MS13.
In the legal documents requesting his preventive detention, the prosecutors claim that the Salvadoran has been part of a conspiracy for human trafficking and has played a "significant role" in smuggling immigrants, including unaccompanied minors.
If found guilty, he could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each person he transported, according to the documents, a sentence that would "far exceed the remainder of the defendant's life."
The case of Kilmar
Kilmar Ábrego García, who arrived in the United States in 2011 fleeing from gangs, had received a deportation suspension in 2019 after being considered a probable target of violence if returned to his country.
Married to a U.S. citizen and father of a five-year-old child with a disability, Ábrego García has no criminal record and was working as an apprentice at a metalworking company in Maryland.
On March 12, agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained him, citing a change in his immigration status.
In a matter of days, he was included as a substitute on a deportation flight to El Salvador, without the manifest indicating his legal protection, and ended up being transferred to the Center for Counterterrorism Confinement (CECOT), the prison symbolizing Bukele's so-called "iron fist."
U.S. authorities acknowledged that the deportation was a "oversight" caused by an "administrative error." However, government lawyers argued that the courts lacked jurisdiction to order his return, as he was in the custody of the Salvadoran government.
However, President Nayib Bukele stated that he would not refuse to return him to the U.S. to face charges.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Kilmar Ábrego García Case and Erroneous Deportations
Why was Kilmar Ábrego García deported to El Salvador?
Kilmar Ábrego García was mistakenly deported to El Salvador due to an administrative "oversight" by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Despite having judicial protection that prevented his deportation, he was sent to the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, a maximum-security prison. This error highlights the negligence in the handling of immigration cases under the Trump administration.
What are the accusations against Kilmar Ábrego García?
Ábrego García faces allegations of human trafficking and conspiracy, with Attorney General Pam Bondi claiming he is a member of the MS-13 gang. However, no credible evidence has been presented to support these allegations. The defense argues that he has no criminal record and that the accusations are unfounded.
What has the United States government said about its wrongful deportation?
The United States government admitted that the deportation of Ábrego García was an administrative error, but argues that they have no jurisdiction to order his return, as he is now in Salvadoran custody. This stance has generated criticism and questions regarding the government's respect for judicial orders.
What is the current situation of Kilmar Ábrego García?
Currently, Kilmar Ábrego Garcia is detained in a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, known for housing members of criminal gangs. Despite court orders in the U.S. to facilitate his return, the Trump administration and the government of El Salvador have hindered his repatriation. The situation highlights the tension between judicial decisions and the Executive's immigration policies.
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