Bondi says return of wrongfully deported Maryland man is ‘up to El Salvador’
Attorney General Pam Bondi has stated that it is ultimately up to El Salvador to decide whether they will choose to return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, the Maryland resident who was deported in what Trump officials have acknowledged was an “administrative error.” Bondi made these remarks on Monday while speaking to reporters, emphasizing that if El Salvador decides to return Abrego Garcia, the U.S. would provide a plane for his return.
These comments came as President Donald Trump welcomed El Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele to the White House for a bilateral summit focused largely on immigration issues, including the hundreds of migrants deported by the U.S. to El Salvador for detention in the country’s maximum-security prison.
When asked about Abrego Garcia, Bondi explained that the decision lies with Bukele’s administration, stating, “That’s up to El Salvador if they want to return him. That’s not up to us.” She further elaborated that if El Salvador chooses to return him, the U.S. would facilitate the process by providing transportation.
The Supreme Court recently ruled that a lower court’s order requires the government to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and ensure that his case is handled appropriately. However, Bukele has indicated that he may not have the authority to return Abrego Garcia to the U.S., suggesting that it would be beyond his scope of authority.
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller supported Bondi’s statements, emphasizing that Abrego Garcia is a Salvadorian national and that it would be inappropriate for the U.S. to dictate how El Salvador handles its own citizens. Miller also claimed that two courts had found Abrego Garcia to be a member of the MS-13 gang.
Despite these assertions, Abrego Garcia was granted temporary protection status in the U.S. in 2019 to prevent his removal to El Salvador, where he faced potential criminal prosecution from gangs. Senator Chris Van Hollen has requested a meeting with Bukele to discuss Abrego Garcia’s return, expressing concern for his safety.
The Trump administration has faced criticism for its deportation practices, including the removal of hundreds of migrants to El Salvador, some of whom may have been mistakenly identified as gang members. The administration has been ordered by a federal judge to provide daily updates on efforts to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return.
In response to the ongoing legal challenges, Justice Department lawyers have argued that the courts do not have the authority to dictate foreign relations or direct the Executive Branch on such matters. Meanwhile, Trump officials continue to criticize “activist judges” for interfering with the administration’s immigration enforcement priorities.
Overall, the situation surrounding Abrego Garcia’s deportation and potential return highlights the complex and contentious issues surrounding immigration policy and enforcement in the U.S. and abroad. The Trump administration’s approach to these issues continues to face legal challenges and scrutiny from both domestic and international critics.
