The Department of Justice (DOJ) released documents on Wednesday providing evidence of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia’s membership in the MS-13 gang, a claim he has contested in court. The release comes amid a complex legal dispute concerning Abrego Garcia’s erroneous deportation and potential return to the United States.
The documents made public include police interview records, immigration court rulings, and a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) record classifying Abrego Garcia as a deportable/inadmissible alien, all citing his affiliation with the notorious transnational gang.
READ: President Of El Salvador Says He Won’t Return Deported Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia To U.S.
Notably, a December 2019 decision by the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is included, which dismissed Abrego Garcia’s challenge to an earlier finding by an immigration judge that he is “a verified member of MS-13.” The BIA determined the immigration judge had correctly considered the gang affiliation allegations when concluding Abrego Garcia had not proven he wasn’t a “danger to property or persons.”
Further details emerge from a Prince George’s County Police Department Gang Field Interview Sheet dated March 28, 2019. Officers encountered Abrego Garcia loitering in a Home Depot parking lot. The report notes he was wearing a Chicago Bulls hat, described in the document as apparel signifying “a member in good standing with the MS-13.” The report also states that a reliable confidential source identified Abrego Garcia as an active member of MS-13’s “Westerns clique,” holding the rank of “Chequeo” and using the moniker “Chele.”
Abrego Garcia, who originally entered the U.S. illegally in 2011, was deported to El Salvador in March due to what government officials termed an administrative error. This sparked a legal battle, with the administration arguing in court that Abrego Garcia should not be allowed to “relitigate the finding that he is a danger to the community.”
While a lower court initially ordered his return, the Supreme Court intervened, requesting clarification of the order and directing the administration to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s release, implying assistance with his return.
READ: “Judges Ruled He Was MS-13”: AG Pam Bondi Defends Salvadoran’s Deportation
However, the DOJ signaled on Wednesday its intention to appeal the subsequent amended order from Judge Paula Xinis, which directs the government to “take all available steps to facilitate the return of Abrego Garcia to the United States as soon as possible.”
The case has also drawn international attention. During a meeting with President Donald Trump, El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele stated he would not facilitate the entry of a “terrorist” into the U.S., a comment seemingly directed at cases like Abrego Garcia’s.
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