administration blocked plan to retrieve Abrego Garcia [View all]

Only a few days after government attorneys had discussed how to keep Abrego Garcia safe until he could be returned, the White House press secretary claimed he was an MS-13 leader guilty of human trafficking

Gustaf Kilander
in Washington D.C.
Saturday 26 April 2025 16:53 BST

Trump administration officials reportedly worked on a plan to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the U.S. from El Salvador before the White House performed a dramatic U-turn, according to The Atlantic.

At first, Abrego Garcia’s removal from American soil was called an “administrative error” and then a “clerical error.” But now, the administration is adamant that Abrego Garcia is a gang member and a terrorist who will never set foot in the U.S. again.

However, in the days after his removal, some officials tried to find ways to bring him back. They grew concerned for his safety in a prison where he may be attacked, and they were stumped over the thin evidence connecting him to being part of a gang ...

U.S. officials reportedly worked to resolve the case before their work was blocked. The discussions included the notion of having the U.S. ambassador to El Salvador make an appeal to President Nayib Bukele for Abrego Garcia’s return. However, the legal team at the State Department first wanted more information from Homeland Security about the allegations that he was a member of the MS-13 gang. The little evidence they received led to a skeptical response from State Department lawyers ...

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kilmar-abrego-garcia-el-salvador-trump-b2740067.html