Trump admin defends deporting accused MS-13 leader to El Salvador amid backlash

The Trump administration is standing firm in their decision to arrest Kilmer Armado Abrego Garcia, despite a report from The Atlantic suggesting an “administrative error” in his placement at CECOT men’s prison in El Salvador. The administration strongly refutes this claim, emphasizing that Abrego Garcia must be detained regardless of his location due to serious criminal allegations against him, including his alleged affiliation with the MS-13 gang.

During a White House press briefing, press secretary Karoline Leavitt denounced The Atlantic’s portrayal of Abrego Garcia as a law-abiding citizen, stating that he is an illegal criminal who violated immigration laws and is a leader in the ruthless MS-13 gang involved in human trafficking. Leavitt reiterated that foreign terrorists, including MS-13 members, have no legal protections in the United States, and the administration will continue to deport them from the country.

Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security Tricia McLaughlin took to social media to provide further details on Abrego Garcia’s criminal activities, emphasizing that he should be incarcerated whether in El Salvador or the U.S. She criticized mainstream media outlets for seemingly defending criminal gangs like MS-13 and ignoring the suffering of their victims.

The court document referenced in The Atlantic’s report is part of a lawsuit filed by Abrego Garcia against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem. The document acknowledges an “administrative error” that led to Abrego Garcia’s removal to El Salvador despite his protection from deportation. However, Abrego Garcia’s legal team argues that he was deported without due process and that there is insufficient evidence linking him to the MS-13 gang.

The Trump administration has faced criticism for labeling deported migrants as gang members based on tattoos, including seemingly innocuous symbols like crowns or sports logos. Despite these challenges, Vice President JD Vance defended the decision to target alleged gang members for deportation, citing informant allegations against Abrego Garcia.

El Salvador President Nayib Bukele has expressed support for the U.S. efforts to combat organized crime through the deportation of alleged gang members. Former President Donald Trump praised Bukele for accepting deported criminals, attributing their presence in the U.S. to the policies of the Biden administration.

Overall, the Trump administration remains resolute in its determination to detain individuals like Abrego Garcia accused of criminal activities, emphasizing the importance of protecting American citizens from gang violence and terrorism.