On Monday, President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador expressed his reluctance to repatriate Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to the United States. Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who had resided in Maryland for approximately 15 years, was deported to El Salvador despite obtaining protections from a U.S. immigration judge. He is currently held in the CECOT mega prison under Bukele’s administration. The U.S. Supreme Court has directed the Trump administration to aid in his return.
During President Bukele’s visit to the Oval Office, President Trump and his team indicated that the decision to return Abrego Garcia rested with the Salvadoran authorities. President Bukele affirmed that he would not facilitate his return, questioning how he could possibly smuggle a so-called terrorist into the United States.
In the meeting, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller discussed the situation alongside Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Attorney General Pam Bondi. Miller stressed that since Abrego Garcia is an El Salvadorian citizen, it was inappropriate for the U.S. media to dictate how El Salvador should manage its citizens.
Secretary Rubin underscored that U.S. courts did not hold the authority to influence foreign policy decisions. Attorney General Bondi minimized the deportation issue as a “paperwork” matter, emphasizing that the decision to return Abrego Garcia was up to El Salvador. She explained that America’s obligation was limited to providing transport, should his return be necessary.
