Homeland Security Secretary Christy Noem has informed Senate Democrats that there is “no scenario” where Kilmer Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant linked to the MS-13 gang and known for human smuggling, would be allowed back into the U.S.
For several months, Democrats in both the House and Senate have been working to obtain Garcia, who had previously been deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration due to his gang affiliation.
During a Senate Budget Subcommittee on Homeland Security meeting on Thursday, Noem made it clear to Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) that Garcia would not return to the States.
“Abrego Garcia is a citizen of El Salvador and he wouldn’t have been in this country, and he won’t return,” Noem stated. “There’s no scenario in which he will find himself back in the U.S. If he returns, we’ll deport him again because he poses a security threat as a terrorist, human smuggler, and as someone accused of spousal abuse.”
Noem reiterated that Abrego Garcia remains in El Salvador, and emphasized that should he return to the U.S., he would be swiftly expelled again.
“Abrego Garcia isn’t a citizen here; he’s a dangerous person who has no place in this country,” Noem asserted. “If he makes it back, I will ensure he’s expelled immediately.”
In addition to his alleged ties to the MS-13 gang, Abrego Garcia faces multiple domestic violence accusations in Maryland involving his wife. This week, further troubling details surfaced about his connections to illegal human smuggling operations.
A convicted felon stated to the FBI that he had employed Abrego Garcia for smuggling illegal immigrants following allegations that he was managing a human trafficking ring.
This discussion arose alongside the release of body camera footage from a 2022 traffic stop conducted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol, which involved an illegal immigrant driving a vehicle linked to a convicted felon.
At that time, the car contained nine people, but none had luggage, raising suspicions that they were being smuggled into the U.S. However, after consulting with federal agents, Abrego Garcia was allowed to continue his journey.
The Department of Justice is currently looking into various alleged human smuggling cases involving Abrego Garcia.
