Overview

• Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a legal U.S. resident, remains detained in El Salvador despite a 2019 court order prohibiting his deportation and a unanimous Supreme Court ruling mandating his return.
• The Trump administration claims it lacks authority to repatriate Garcia, citing Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele’s refusal to cooperate, while facing potential contempt proceedings in U.S. courts.
• Four Democratic House members, following Sen. Chris Van Hollen’s recent visit, are in El Salvador advocating for Garcia’s release and highlighting constitutional concerns over due process violations.
• The White House alleges Garcia has ties to MS-13 and a history of domestic violence, though he has no U.S. criminal convictions; his legal team and family deny the allegations.
• The case underscores broader tensions over executive authority, immigration enforcement, and the balance of power between the judiciary and the presidency.