Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who has been a longstanding legal resident in the United States, faced wrongful deportation to El Salvador in March 2025, despite a protective court order that should have prevented his removal. This highly publicized case garnered national attention, inciting bipartisan criticism towards the Trump administration, which many believe made a grave mistake in handling immigration protocols. As the situation unfolds, there are numerous inquiries regarding the circumstances surrounding his initial detention and the subsequent contentious deportation process.
This article delves into the intricacies of Abrego Garcia’s case, shedding light on the reasons behind his deportation, his current status, and ongoing developments that are shaping this significant immigration narrative.
Understanding Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Background and Legal Status
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a 30-year-old citizen of El Salvador and a legal resident of Maryland. Until March 2025, he was lawfully residing in the state, contributing to his community and living a life free from immigration concerns.
In 2011, Abrego Garcia immigrated to the U.S. as an undocumented minor at the age of 16. His situation took a dire turn in 2019 when he was arrested under suspicions of gang affiliation, despite the absence of any substantial evidence to support such claims. It is crucial to note that he was never formally charged with a crime, and an immigration judge subsequently granted him “withholding of removal” status. This legal designation allows individuals to live and work in the U.S. when facing potential threats to their safety if returned to their home country.
According to CNN, during the proceedings, the judge determined that a gang in El Salvador was “targeting [Abrego Garcia] and threatening him with death because of his family’s pupusa business.” This ruling underscored the very real dangers he faced if deported.
In March 2025, amidst the stringent immigration policies of the Trump administration, Abrego Garcia was unexpectedly apprehended by U.S. officials and deported on a flight bound for El Salvador, igniting outrage and disbelief among his supporters.
A federal judge is giving the Trump administration two weeks to hand over information on what it has done to comply with the Supreme Court’s order to facilitate the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to an El Salvadoran prison. pic.twitter.com/WBlJ4LZylx
— Good Morning America (@GMA) April 16, 2025
The Personal Life of Kilmar Abrego Garcia: Marriage and Advocacy
Indeed, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is married to his spouse, U.S. citizen Jennifer Vasquez Sura. In the wake of her husband’s deportation, Sura has emerged as a vocal advocate for his return, tirelessly campaigning for justice.
“Today marks 34 days since his disappearance, and I stand here filled with an unwavering spirit,” she stated in April 2025, as reported by Rolling Stone. “I refuse to stop fighting until I see my husband alive. … Enough is enough. My family should not be deprived of another moment without Kilmar. This administration has already taken so much from my children, from Kilmar’s mother, brother, sisters, and me.”
Abrego Garcia’s wife: “I will not stop fighting until I see my husband alive. Kilmar, if you can hear me, stay strong. God hasn’t forgotten about you. Our children are asking when you will come home … they miss their dad so much.” pic.twitter.com/2CQEorVt0o
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) April 15, 2025
Family Matters: Children of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
Yes, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a devoted father to three children. Two of these children are from a previous relationship of Sura’s and have special needs; one child suffers from epilepsy, while another is on the autism spectrum, as indicated in a declaration Sura submitted regarding Abrego Garcia’s legal challenges. The couple also shares one biological child together.
During a public address one month following her husband’s deportation, Sura reached out directly to Abrego Garcia, expressing, “Kilmar, if you can hear me, stay strong. God hasn’t forgotten about you. Our children are asking, ‘When will you come home?’ I fervently pray for the day I can tell them the exact time and date of your return.”
“As we navigate through this holy week, my heart aches for my husband,” she continued. “He should be here leading our Easter prayers — instead, I find myself imploring both the Trump administration and the Bukele administration to cease their political maneuvering with Kilmar’s life.”
Current Status of Kilmar Abrego Garcia: Where Is He Now?
As of June 6, 2025, Abrego Garcia has been returned to U.S. custody. He was brought back from El Salvador to face federal charges concerning human smuggling after spending time in a notorious mega-prison known as CECOT (Center for Terrorism Confinement) in El Salvador.
Unraveling the Reasons Behind Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Deportation
Abrego Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador in March 2025 was marked as a significant error by the Trump administration, which later attributed it to an “administrative error.” Despite being a legal resident of the U.S. since 2011, protected by a court order issued in 2019 against deportation, he was wrongfully removed from the country following unsubstantiated allegations of connections to the notorious MS-13 gang.
Tensions escalated during a mid-April meeting between President Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele. When a reporter inquired about the possibility of returning Abrego Garcia to the U.S., Bukele labeled him a “terrorist” and asserted that he would not “smuggle” him out of El Salvador. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi echoed this sentiment, firmly stating, “He is not coming back to our country.”
Both Abrego Garcia’s family and legal team vociferously refuted the gang-related allegations, characterizing them as unfounded and politically charged. His legal representatives and supporters contended that the deportation violated both U.S. and international legal principles.
In a landmark decision, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was unlawful. The Court dismissed the Trump administration’s claim of lacking authority to compel El Salvador to cooperate, instead mandating that the White House “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return. Federal Judge Paula Xinis insisted on timely updates regarding the efforts to ensure his return and indicated the potential for contempt proceedings against the administration due to a lack of transparency. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg also affirmed that “probable cause exists” to hold the Trump administration in contempt for violating previous judicial orders, including the controversial application of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.
Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen took proactive measures by traveling to El Salvador to engage with local officials and advocate for Abrego Garcia’s return. “He was illegally abducted and needs to come home,” Van Hollen asserted in a video shared on social media.
After facing immense legal and political pressure, Abrego Garcia was eventually returned to the United States in early June 2025. However, upon his arrival, he was indicted by a federal grand jury in Tennessee on two counts related to human smuggling, stemming from a 2022 traffic stop during which he was allegedly found transporting undocumented migrants. He currently remains in federal custody, awaiting trial.
