Suspected MS-13 Member Linked to Human Smuggling
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt recently called on Democrats and media outlets to defend their stance on illegal immigration following the arrest of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged member of MS-13. Abrego Garcia was deported to a mega prison in El Salvador earlier this year and now faces federal charges related to human smuggling and conspiracy.
In a statement to Fox News, Leavitt asserted that the Justice Department’s indictment demonstrates that Democrats and certain media outlets have misrepresented the situation. “They’ve been played for fools,” she remarked. It’s worth noting that there has been some pushback from various news organizations labeling Abrego Garcia, at times, as simply a “Maryland man.”
Leavitt sharply criticized this characterization, emphasizing that Abrego Garcia is not an innocent figure. “He is an illegal alien terrorist, a gang member, and a human trafficker,” she added, arguing that he has harmed many, particularly women and vulnerable individuals. She also pointed out that Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland had traveled to El Salvador to show solidarity with Abrego Garcia earlier this year.
Abrego Garcia had previously lived in Maryland before being deported. According to the indictment, he played a key role in a human smuggling operation that has been active for nearly a decade. Leavitt highlighted that he reportedly traveled over 100 times for smuggling, moving women, children, and MS-13 members throughout the U.S.
Bodycam footage from a 2022 traffic stop captured Abrego Garcia with several other men in his vehicle, which raised suspicions among law enforcement. Troopers noted that he appeared to be transporting individuals for money. They discovered cash during the stop, and despite alerts about his criminal background, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not respond.
Despite troubling allegations against him, Abrego Garcia has been described in some media reports as simply a “Maryland man.” This description has drawn criticism, especially as it seems to downplay the seriousness of the charges he faces. Furthermore, outlets like Axios and USA Today have used similar language when addressing his case.
