El Salvador Defies U.S. Over Erroneous Deportation as Trump-Bukele Alliance Grows

 

El Salvador will not return Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported from the United States despite a court ruling protecting him from removal. The decision was confirmed by President Nayib Bukele during a White House meeting with Donald Trump, highlighting the increasingly close relationship between the two leaders and their shared hardline stance on immigration and crime.

President Trump and President Bukele both made clear in the Oval Office today that they do not intend to return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to the U.S. following the Supreme Court's ruling. "How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? Of course I'm not going to do it.… pic.twitter.com/FZbvEySzmk

— Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) April 14, 2025

 

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled last week that the Trump administration must “facilitate” Mr. Ábrego García’s return to the United States, where he had been living with his family in Maryland under legal protection from deportation since 2019. However, Trump’s team has resisted the order, claiming it is no longer within their power to act. “It is up to El Salvador if they want to return him,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi, while defending the administration’s broader strategy of deporting alleged gang members.

 

 

Trump praised Bukele for his cooperation, particularly in accepting deportees alleged to be affiliated with MS-13 and the Tren de Aragua—two gangs Trump’s administration has designated as “foreign terrorist organisations.” Mr. Ábrego García, whose attorney says he is not a gang member, was among 261 individuals, including 238 Venezuelans and 23 Salvadorans, recently deported to El Salvador’s Center for the Confinement of Terrorism (Cecot), a high-security prison infamous for harsh conditions and mass detentions.

 

 

Despite the Supreme Court’s directive, the administration continues to argue that the matter falls under the domain of foreign policy and thus lies outside judicial enforcement. Lawyers reiterated this position on Sunday, asserting that the U.S. government had fulfilled its obligation and that any return now depended on the Salvadoran government.

 

Trump’s public stance appeared to contradict this legal resistance, telling reporters, “If the Supreme Court said ‘bring somebody back,’ I would do that.” Still, daily updates on efforts to repatriate Mr. Ábrego García have been mandated by federal courts, and the government has conceded that his deportation stemmed from an “administrative error.” However, it continues to assert—without publicly available evidence—that he has ties to MS-13, a claim his legal team firmly denies.

 

The burgeoning relationship between Trump and Bukele has been pivotal to Trump’s immigration agenda since returning to office in January. El Salvador’s agreement to receive deportees has allowed the U.S. to intensify mass removals, particularly targeting individuals the administration identifies as criminals. “This is an example for security and prosperity in our hemisphere,” declared Secretary of State Marco Rubio in a statement on X, formerly Twitter, celebrating the partnership.

 

Trump has repeatedly lauded Bukele’s tough approach to crime, calling him a “fantastic leader” who is imprisoning “very bad people... that should never have been allowed into our country.” Since January, over 200 alleged gang members have been removed under a seldom-used law dating back to 1798, many of them sent to Cecot.

 

Yet, families of deportees have challenged the government’s claims. One Venezuelan woman, Myrelis Casique López, told BBC Mundo she identified her son in a photo taken at Cecot, where he was shown among detainees. She believes he was targeted due to his tattoos rather than any evidence of criminal behavior.

 

Despite legal concerns and criticism over possible human rights violations at Cecot, the Trump administration has remained unwavering. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited the prison last month, signaling strong endorsement. When asked whether he had any concerns about reported abuses at the facility, Trump responded bluntly: “I don’t see it.”

 

On Sunday, Rubio announced the deportation of ten additional “criminals” to El Salvador, although he did not confirm if they were sent to Cecot. The administration continues to publicize the transfers, reinforcing its commitment to a no-compromise approach to immigration enforcement.

 

While the Supreme Court insists on Mr. Ábrego García’s return, it remains unclear whether he will ever leave the Salvadoran mega-prison where he now resides. El Salvador’s refusal signals a widening diplomatic gap, even as cooperation between the two nations on immigration deepens.

 

Based on a report by BBC  2025-04-16

 

 

Long live king bukele

If they haven't murdered García already, it won't be long.

Garcia is not a gang member, not a terrorist, and was deprived of due process before being disappeared.

Any American who thinks this is OK aren't real Americans in my book.

 

 

 

37 minutes ago, Social Media said:

One Venezuelan woman, Myrelis Casique López, told BBC Mundo she identified her son in a photo taken at Cecot, where he was shown among detainees

Perhaps the mother is naive. If you go out to get a tattoo. They do not show you gang tattoos in the shop This is something specifically requested or done by gangs. To say he wears gang tattoos but is not in a gang means she does not understand what is needed to get that specific one showing you are a gang member. Her comment about the fact that he had not done anything criminal in the US means nothing as well. He did do something illegal. He entered the US illegally and should be deported anyway. He is also too old for mama to know everything her son does every hour of everyday. 

The news likes to spout stories about these people showing them as innocent and undeserving of deportation. But this does not change the fact that those deported were in the country illegally. Plain and simple. The same would happen to them in any country when caught. 

Just another America hating, terrorist loving topic.

The guy is an illegal immigrant. He should be deported just for that.

 

If he was an illegal in Thailand he would also be deported once caught, no excuses allowed.

 

Good for Trump finally going after them.

 

9 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Just another America hating, terrorist loving topic.

Actually it’s the opposite of what you think.in America we are supposed to get due process all stop 🛑 the American ideal is rule of law this is opposite to that.we are not normally in the business of disappearing people that’s purely another example of the trumpiseum spectacle with a large dose of cruelty thrown in to titillate his ignorant base supporters.and thaibeach lover the guy had legal status and permission to be in the states

10 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

Just another America hating, terrorist loving topic.

Not only does bukele love america, he loves bitcoin! El salvador has a bright future, I definitely see them being the wealthiest south american country in due time

He's a citizen of El Salvador.  He's in El Salvador. 

 

In 2019, 2 judges ruled he was a member of MS13, but they didn't deport him because he faced murder in El Salvador, which was the murder capitol of the world at the time.  It's not any more.  It's arguably the safest country in Latin America.

 

The Supreme Court ordered the administration to "facilitate" his return.  Bondi has offered to send a plane to pick him up.  El Salvador's Bukele declined sending one of his citizens (under his jurisdiction) back to the US.

 

Sticky wicket, but I think the guy's staying in El Salvador.  Great (though admittedly one sided) story about the meeting in the Gateway Pundit today.

 

1 minute ago, Tug said:

Actually it’s the opposite of what you think.in America we are supposed to get due process all stop 🛑 the American ideal is rule of law this is opposite to that.we are not normally in the business of disappearing people that’s purely another example of the trumpiseum spectacle with a large dose of cruelty thrown in to titillate his ignorant base supporters.and thaibeach lover the guy had legal status and permission to be in the states

He is a terrorist illegal alien and thus only has limited rights to "due process".

 

More due process than you would give to Donald Trump if one of your lot has him in the sights?

 

Of course you would support terrorists and rapists and murderers over your fellow citizens.

Well, he is a citizen there and back home in El Savador.  He should be happy and if he is not a gang member he has nothing to worry about.  Good luck to Kilmar.

5 minutes ago, Yagoda said:

He is a terrorist illegal alien and thus only has limited rights to "due process".

 

More due process than you would give to Donald Trump if one of your lot has him in the sights?

 

Of course you would support terrorists and rapists and murderers over your fellow citizens.

Oh now he’s a ( terrorist) illegal alien lmao 🤣 thats ridiculous you sound shall I say misinformed lmao 🤣 I certainly can think of other ways to describe this…..hey but heck what would you expect from a trump supporter…you know trump the guy who supports putin who FOR REAL empty’s his prisons arms the inmates and sends the to murder his neighbor…..hummm???are you seeing why I think trump is the most unamerican president we’ve ever been saddled with?this very thread is just another example of that and you are another example of a rube.

19 minutes ago, Tug said:

Actually it’s the opposite of what you think.in America we are supposed to get due process all stop 🛑 the American ideal is rule of law this is opposite to that.we are not normally in the business of disappearing people that’s purely another example of the trumpiseum spectacle with a large dose of cruelty thrown in to titillate his ignorant base supporters.and thaibeach lover the guy had legal status and permission to be in the states

History shows that America was in the business of  making people disappear

Extraordinary Rendition

The  policy traces its roots to the administration of former President Bill Clinton.

 In the words of former CIA agent Robert Baer: "If you want a serious interrogation, you send a prisoner to Jordan. If you want them to be tortured, you send them to Syria. If you want someone to disappear -- never to see them again -- you send them to Egypt."

https://www.aclu.org/documents/fact-sheet-extraordinary-rendition

 

9 minutes ago, vinny41 said:

History shows that America was in the business of  making people disappear

Extraordinary Rendition

The  policy traces its roots to the administration of former President Bill Clinton.

 In the words of former CIA agent Robert Baer: "If you want a serious interrogation, you send a prisoner to Jordan. If you want them to be tortured, you send them to Syria. If you want someone to disappear -- never to see them again -- you send them to Egypt."

https://www.aclu.org/documents/fact-sheet-extraordinary-rendition

 

And it was wrong. But at least those prisoners weren't on U.S. soil and the government hadn't violated the legal protections granted by the government.

17 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Well, he is a citizen there and back home in El Savador.  He should be happy and if he is not a gang member he has nothing to worry about.  Good luck to Kilmar.

He's been put in a hellhole but he should have nothing to worry about because his halo will protect him?

A flame & Post using derogatory and toxic nicknames or intentional misspelling of people’s names were removed. If you don’t want your post to be removed, spell people’s names correctly, this applies to both sides of the political debate.

The show goes on from the reality tv president and his dictatorial buddies (to be fair Bukele was both freely elected and very popular). This was cooked up between the pair of them. They could return Kilmar Ábrego García immediately. 

 

Trump has decided to play with the courts to see if he can face them down when he has had a ruling he doesn't like. He may possibly win this battle though he tends to cave. But he may also come to regret picking a fight with the Supreme Court which has been very favourable to him.

 

 

1 hour ago, thaibeachlovers said:

The guy is an illegal immigrant. He should be deported just for that.

Utter horse manure. Where is that reported? There’s no evidence he was ever illegal in the U.S. He entered legally in 2019, seeking asylum due to gang threats in El Salvador, and was granted court-ordered protection from deportation, indicating lawful status. His deportation on March 15, 2025, was ruled unlawful by U.S. courts, which found no criminal or immigration violations. The "illegal immigrant" label seems to stem from misinformation or conflation with general immigration debates, not his actual record. Now even Trump won't incriminate himself with the lies, deferring to Bondi and Rubio at WH press briefings explain this.

2 hours ago, hotsun said:

Long live king bukele

Birds of a feather Trump- Bukele. #autocrats

2 minutes ago, Digitalbanana said:

Utter horse manure. Where is that reported? There’s no evidence he was ever illegal in the U.S. He entered legally in 2019, seeking asylum due to gang threats in El Salvador, and was granted court-ordered protection from deportation, indicating lawful status. His deportation on March 15, 2025, was ruled unlawful by U.S. courts, which found no criminal or immigration violations. The "illegal immigrant" label seems to stem from misinformation or conflation with general immigration debates, not his actual record. Now even Trump won't incriminate himself with the lies, deferring to Bondi and Rubio at WH press briefings explain this.

Who's with the horse manure then? Take it up with Wikipedia if you think they are wrong.

So easy to find the reports that he entered illegally to the US.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_of_Kilmar_Abrego_Garcia

Abrego Garcia illegally immigrated to the U.S. in 2011 at the age of 16.

The statements at the 14Apr White House meeting by Marco Rubio and Pam Bondi warrant investigation but it depends on legal and ethical thresholds, while Trump’s role—allowing and commending their remarks—raises questions of accountability.

   

Rubio and Bondi’s statements as grounds for investigation:

Rubio’s claim that the President can override a Supreme Court order misrepresents constitutional law, and Bondi’s pairing of an "administrative error" with baseless MS-13 allegations contradicts court findings. If these were deliberate misrepresentations to evade a court mandate or mislead the public, they could constitute misconduct, potentially violating federal ethics rules or laws like 18 U.S.C. § 1001 (false statements). For example, knowingly providing false information to courts or Congress could trigger scrutiny from bodies like the Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General or congressional oversight committees. The Kilmar Ábrego García case already has judicial attention—courts have rebuked the administration, and a Texas federal judge demanded daily updates on efforts to retrieve García. If evidence emerges that Rubio or Bondi intentionally misled to obstruct compliance with the Supreme Court’s order, it could escalate to calls for investigation, possibly by the House Judiciary Committee or an independent probe. However, absent concrete proof of intent (e.g., internal communications), their statements might be seen as political spin rather than criminal falsehoods, making formal investigations less likely unless new evidence surfaces.

 

Trump’s role and commendation of Bondi:
Trump’s silence during Rubio and Bondi’s remarks, coupled with his commendation of Bondi for “what a good job she was doing” after her April 14, 2025, Oval Office statements, implicates him in endorsing their narrative. As President, he’s accountable for his administration’s actions, especially since the Supreme Court explicitly ordered his administration to facilitate García’s return. His failure to correct misleading claims and his praise of Bondi could be interpreted as tacit approval of non-compliance with a court order, raising ethical concerns about abuse of power or neglect of duty. While not necessarily illegal, this behavior could fuel political or legal scrutiny, particularly given García’s ongoing detention in El Salvador and Bukele’s refusal to release him. If courts or Congress perceive Trump as obstructing justice by allowing subordinates to defy rulings, it could prompt investigations, similar to past probes into executive interference (e.g., Nixon’s Watergate-era actions). However, Trump’s defenders might argue he’s relying on advisors’ counsel, and his commendation was generic, not proof of intent to mislead.

 

Likelihood and context:
Investigations hinge on political will and evidence. With a Republican-controlled executive and a polarized Congress (as of April 2025, based on recent trends), probes into Rubio, Bondi, or Trump face hurdles unless Democrats or bipartisan actors push hard, likely citing García’s case as a human rights or due process violation. Public pressure, amplified by X posts criticizing the administration’s handling, could add momentum, but it’s not enough alone. The courts remain the strongest check—continued judicial oversight, like the Texas judge’s orders, might force accountability without a separate investigation. Trump’s history of deferring to surrogates (seen in prior cases like immigration policy defenses) suggests he’s insulating himself, making direct culpability harder to pin down.

 

In summary, Rubio and Bondi’s statements stretch the truth enough to justify scrutiny, especially given judicial rulings, and Trump’s endorsement amplifies the issue. While investigation is plausible, particularly via congressional or judicial channels, it’s not guaranteed without clearer evidence of deliberate falsehoods or obstruction. The García case’s ongoing legal battles may drive further accountability before formal probes materialize.

23 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Who's with the horse manure then? Take it up with Wikipedia if you think they are wrong.

So easy to find the reports that he entered illegally to the US.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deportation_of_Kilmar_Abrego_Garcia

Abrego Garcia illegally immigrated to the U.S. in 2011 at the age of 16.

You didn't quote the next sentence - wonder why duh?

He had lived and worked in the country legally since 2019, when an immigration judge granted him "withholding of removal" status, a rare alternative to asylum, over the threat to his life from gang violence in El Salvador if deported. At the time of his deportation in 2025, he was living in Maryland with his wife and child, both American citizens, and reporting to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) annually.

3 hours ago, hotsun said:

Not only does bukele love america, he loves bitcoin! El salvador has a bright future, I definitely see them being the wealthiest south american country in due time

But El Salvador is only a small mid-american country .

If Bukele is ever "deposed" , that prison gets opened and some nasties will

seek revenge.

3 hours ago, Yagoda said:

He is a terrorist illegal alien and thus only has limited rights to "due process".

 

More due process than you would give to Donald Trump if one of your lot has him in the sights?

 

Of course you would support terrorists and rapists and murderers over your fellow citizens.

The correct place to deal with such allegations is a court of law, the correct place t process to deal with such accusations is the criminal justice system.

 

Not detention without charges, deportation without trial and all in direct contradiction to court orders from federal judges to the SCOTUS.

3 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

If he was an illegal in Thailand he would also be deported once caught, no excuses allowed.

His status was legal. Just like if you went to do an annual extension based on marriage at Thai Immigration and next thing you know is you are in chains and off to a prison on a country run by a dictator. You're OK with that arrangement then? I'll let Thai Imm know 🙂

18 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

Not detention without charges, deportation without trial and all in direct contradiction to court orders from federal judges to the SCOTUS.

You are wrong on the facts and law.

3 hours ago, Yagoda said:

He is a terrorist illegal alien and thus only has limited rights to "due process".

 

More due process than you would give to Donald Trump if one of your lot has him in the sights?

 

Of course you would support terrorists and rapists and murderers over your fellow citizens.

Your ignorance is broad and deep. It is about the 5th amendment:

"No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

"no PERSON" no mention of citizen: PERSON.

He is being deprived of liberty and may soon lose life. The state has not provided evidence before a court that he is a gang member. That has already been settled. There is no legal basis to send him off for rest of his life in El Salvador prison.

Let's just praise Trump for getting rid of illegals and ignore administrative errors. No one needs to be found guilty by a court, do they? That's so woke.

 

Oh, by the way, who will be next.

‘Home growns are next’: Trump tells El Salvador president to build more jails for U.S. citizens.

“I just asked the president — it’s this massive complex that he built, jail complex — I said, 'Can you build some more of them please?’ As many as we can get out of our country,” Trump told reporters.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-home-growns-bukele-citizens-b2733207.html

He hasn't said they need to be found guilty, just send them 

4 hours ago, placeholder said:

He's been put in a hellhole but he should have nothing to worry about because his halo will protect him?

I think his fellow gang members will protect him. That he wasn't skinned alive for having anauthorized gang tatts tells serious observers all they need to know about this bad hombre.

Of course msm consumers will believe he is a poor innocent lamb and ignore the reality of unauthorized gang tatts so they can do more irrational hating on Trump. 

 

IF he ever gets returned Ill happily chip in to buy him and his crew a clubhouse next door to the judge. Sweet justice.

Good riddance to bad rubbish. 

 

He was an illegal alien, the court had decided he was a gang member and ordered him deported.  

 

boo-hoo