White House Stands Firm on Deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt declared that Kilmar Ábrego García, recently deported from Maryland to El Salvador, will "never" return to the U.S. This comes amid accusations of gang affiliation and domestic violence against the 29-year-old, which his lawyer and family dispute. Despite a court ordering his return, the government insists on upholding the deportation.

The White House has reiterated its stance on the case of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national who was deported from Maryland to El Salvador. During a press briefing, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated unequivocally that Mr. Ábrego García “will never live in the United States of America” after being mistakenly deported. This declaration follows accusations from U.S. authorities asserting that he is connected to the MS-13 gang—a claim his legal counsel categorically refutes.

Leavitt also referenced allegations of domestic violence, citing a restraining order previously filed by Mr. Ábrego García’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura. She indicated that the court had found her husband to be a "woman beater," which has been contested by both his legal team and family, who argue that the issue had been resolved through counseling.

On March 15, Mr. Ábrego García was among a group of individuals deported to El Salvador, landing him in a controversial mega-prison dubbed the Center for the Confinement of Terrorism. A Maryland judge ruled that the deportation violated a court order granting him legal protections against removal, and the U.S. Supreme Court has upheld this ruling, instructing the Trump administration to facilitate his return. Despite this, officials have acknowledged that the deportation was a mistake, while the White House maintains there was no error on their part.

Judge Paula Xinis continues to seek updates on measures being taken to rectify the situation, yet the most recent report indicated that no progress has been made. Meanwhile, tensions remain high, with Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen traveling to El Salvador in search of a meeting with Mr. Ábrego García but facing denial of access. In contrast, another U.S. Congressman, Riley Moore, was permitted to visit the prison and voiced his support for stricter immigration measures.

As this case unfolds, the political implications are significant, with ongoing debates about immigration policy and judicial authority. The White House's confrontation with the judiciary over such deportations highlights the increasingly fraught nature of U.S. immigration discourse, driven in part by recent violent incidents involving undocumented immigrants.