Overview

• In June court filings, the Justice Department revealed Rubio is personally engaging El Salvador to facilitate Cristian’s return under a U.S. District Court order.
• Cristian, who arrived in the U.S. as an unaccompanied minor, was removed despite a pending asylum case and a class-action injunction barring his deportation.
• Judge Stephanie Gallagher reprimanded the administration for a “blatant lack of effort” to outline steps taken to bring Cristian back to Maryland.
• The administration has similarly resisted a Supreme Court directive on Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s return, arguing it cannot compel Salvadoran authorities to release him.
• Under an agreement, the U.S. is paying El Salvador up to $15 million to detain deported migrants, prompting concerns over legal accountability and human rights.