Border Czar Tom Homan has noted that the administration plans to deport Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant with alleged gang affiliations. Homan labeled Garcia a “significant public safety threat” due to his connections with MS-13 and past human trafficking charges. The action has been proposed despite a court ruling that temporarily blocked Abrego Garcia’s deportation to allow for a hearing.
Homan said, “I’m giving you my word. He will be deported from this country. I got my teeth in this thing. I’m not letting it go.” He added, “Abrego Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador wasn’t a mistake.”
Homan stated, “I don’t accept the term ‘error’ in Abrego Garcia.” He added, “There was an oversight, there was a withholding order.”
Homan added, “But the facts surrounding the withholding order had changed. He is now a terrorist, and the gang he was fearing, from being removed from El Salvador, no longer exists.”
Homan expressed confidence in proceeding with the deportation despite legal challenges. Judge Xinis ruled that the process should be paused pending an evidentiary hearing.
Department of Justice (DOJ) documents linked Abrego Garcia to MS-13 and highlighted domestic abuse allegations from his estranged wife. The Trump administration has questioned the validity of Abrego Garcia’s asylum claims, arguing that he has not provided sufficient evidence of persecution.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “I will tell you what the president of El Salvador told you in the Oval Office: El Salvador does not intend to smuggle a designated foreign terrorist back into the United States.”
Leavitt added, “He is an El Salvadoran national. That is his home country. That is where he belongs.”