The White House is standing firm on the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a confirmed MS-13 member, deported to El Salvador in March. When asked if the U.S. would seek his return, U.S. President Donald Trump deferred to Attorney General Pam Bondi, who cited 2019 court rulings declaring Garcia’s gang ties and illegal status. Bondi said it's now up to El Salvador.
.@nayibbukele: "The question is preposterous. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I don't have the power to return him to the United States." pic.twitter.com/PyrXqO4bvJ
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 14, 2025
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele rejected the idea outright: “How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I’m not going to do it,” he said. “I don’t have the power to return him to the United States,” adding he wouldn’t release Garcia into El Salvador either. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller called any attempt to retrieve Garcia “kidnapping a citizen of El Salvador,” noting the Supreme Court said the U.S. could only “facilitate” a return, not force it.
