Trump and Bukele Refuse to Return Wrongfully Deported Maryland Man to U.S.

During an Oval Office meeting on April 14, President Donald Trump and El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele firmly rejected the notion of returning Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man wrongfully deported to El Salvador. Despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that mandated the U.S. government “facilitate” Garcia’s return, White House officials maintained that the decision to return him rests with El Salvador.

When questioned by CNN’s Kaitlan Collins about the possibility of sending Garcia back to the U.S., Bukele dismissed the idea, calling it “preposterous.” “I hope you’re not suggesting that I smuggle a terrorist into the United States,” he remarked. “How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? Of course, I’m not going to do it.”

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling, which was brief and unsigned, left U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis’ order in place, demanding Garcia’s return. However, the Court distinguished between “facilitating” his return and “effectuating” it. Senior White House officials have since objected to the ruling, arguing that it infringes upon U.S. foreign policy decisions.

Initially, Trump had indicated he would respect the Supreme Court’s ruling, stating last week, “If the Supreme Court said bring somebody back, I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court.” However, his stance shifted following discussions on the matter.

Abrego Garcia, who entered the U.S. illegally around 2011, was granted asylum by an immigration judge in 2019 after it was determined that a gang in El Salvador had been targeting and threatening him due to his family’s pupusa business. This protection prevented his deportation at the time.