Overview

• Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father, remains detained in El Salvador's CECOT prison after his wrongful deportation, despite multiple court orders for his return.
• Career officials initially sought to repatriate Abrego Garcia through diplomatic channels, but the White House halted those efforts, framing the case as a test of executive authority.
• U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher has ordered the return of another individual, known as Cristian, who was also deported to El Salvador despite protections under a 2024 settlement agreement.
• The Trump administration argues that Cristian's designation as an 'alien enemy' overrides the settlement agreement, a position it has also implied in Abrego Garcia's case.
• Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele supports the administration's stance, complicating efforts to secure the release of detainees from El Salvador's notorious prison system.