El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele has refused to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States, claiming it would be tantamount to smuggling a terrorist back into the country, Reuters reported.
During a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House, Bukele rejected the notion that he had any authority to comply with a US court order to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return. The Salvadoran national had been living in Maryland and was deported despite a judge’s ruling protecting him from removal.
“How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States?” Bukele asked, reiterating allegations by US officials that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang. His lawyers strongly deny this, and a federal appeals court noted the government had failed to offer credible evidence.
Trump, who has made immigration a central issue, has deported hundreds—many Venezuelans—to El Salvador using the 1798 Alien Enemies Act. He expressed enthusiasm for Bukele’s approach to crime, pledging US support to build more prisons.
Abrego Garcia is being held in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center, a facility widely criticised for its harsh conditions and alleged abuse of human rights. Bukele defended the mass arrests, saying, “We liberated millions,” drawing a smile from Trump who replied, “Can I use that?”
US Attorney General Pam Bondi said the court order only compels American cooperation if El Salvador agrees. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the president, not the courts, determines foreign policy.
Although a judge previously ruled Abrego Garcia faced serious danger if returned to El Salvador, the Trump administration said in a court filing that it had no duty to assist his release.
Protesters, including Abrego Garcia’s wife, gathered outside the White House chanting, “Bring Kilmar home.” The US has also recently deported 10 more alleged gang members to El Salvador, though advocates insist many of them were never given a fair chance to refute the accusations.