WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The U.S. State Department confirmed on Saturday that a Maryland resident, who had been deported to El Salvador, is safe and being held in a terrorism confinement center in the country. This update came after a U.S. Judge requested information on the Trump administration’s efforts to bring him back.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador on March 15 despite a deportation order protection, and the State Department’s filing revealed that he is currently secure in the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador. The official report from the U.S. Embassy in San Salvador confirmed his well-being and detention under the sovereign authority of El Salvador.
Following a demand from U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, the State Department provided this update, but did not specify the actions being taken to repatriate Abrego Garcia to the United States, as requested by the judge.
The Supreme Court recently upheld a directive for the administration to assist in Abrego Garcia’s return, but there is uncertainty regarding the term “effectuate” and the extent of the judge’s authority. President Trump’s administration has acknowledged the erroneous deportation and stated that diplomatic procedures do not align with the courts’ timeline demands.
President Trump is set to meet with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele, and has expressed readiness to bring back Abrego Garcia if instructed by the Supreme Court. The administration’s responsibility, as clarified by the court, is to facilitate the return, not execute it immediately.
Trump commended President Bukele for collaboration in addressing security threats, mentioning that the responsibility for the individuals deported in error now rests with El Salvador. He emphasized the joint efforts to combat terrorist organizations and assured that they would no longer pose a threat to American citizens.
(Reporting by David Brunnstrom; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
