Kilmar Ábrego García – Case Study
Contents
Summary
In March 2025 under Trump’s renewed presidency, Kilmar Ábrego García, a legally protected Maryland resident, was wrongfully deported to El Salvador. Despite a 2019 court ruling shielding him from removal, ICE labeled him MS-13-affiliated and sent him to CECOT, the regime’s most notorious prison. There, he was tortured. He lost over 30 pounds, was forced to kneel for hours, and subjected to beatings and isolation. After weeks of public pressure and legal intervention, he was flown back. He is now facing charges widely seen as a cover-up.
Timeline of Events
2019
- Immigration judge grants protection from removal due to credible threat of gang violence in El Salvador.
March 12, 2025
- Abrego Garcia is arrested in Maryland and told he will be deported immediately.
March 15, 2025
- He is flown to El Salvador despite legal protections and multiple pending appeals.
March–April 2025
- Held at CECOT. Reports of severe abuse: starvation, isolation, physical assault, psychological torture.
April 2025
- Court in Maryland and then the 4th Circuit orders the government to return him. SCOTUS backs the ruling.
June 6, 2025
- Returned to U.S. custody. DOJ immediately indicts him for human smuggling, drawing national criticism.
Key Violations
- Due Process: Deportation violated a federal judge’s order.
- Torture: CECOT conditions meet international definitions of cruel and inhumane treatment.
- Weaponized Charges: DOJ appears to be using criminal charges to shield ICE from accountability.
Agencies Involved
- ICE: Executed illegal deportation.
- DOJ: Pushed smuggling indictment to justify ICE’s actions.
- Salvadoran Authorities: Enabled torture inside CECOT.
Agents Known to Be Involved
Media Coverage
Sources & Documents
Current Status
- Detained in DOJ custody awaiting trial on smuggling charges.
- Civil rights groups have demanded the charges be dropped and the agents responsible held to account.
What You Can Do
- Submit FOIA requests tied to ICE flight manifests from March 2025.
- Organize campaigns to demand accountability from ICE and DOJ.
- Use this case to challenge the legality of ICE’s practices nationwide.