Noem Declares Immediate Deportation for Abrego Garcia if Returned to U.S.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated that if Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, were returned to the United States, the Trump administration would immediately deport him again. Garcia was deported despite a federal protection order and subsequent Supreme Court rulings requiring the administration to facilitate his return and allow judicial review. While the Trump administration has labeled Garcia an MS-13 gang member, his attorneys and family deny these claims, and court documents indicate he has no criminal record in the U.S. Noem emphasized that Garcia is now in his home country and outside U.S. jurisdiction, arguing the administration is respecting court decisions while maintaining its hardline stance on deportations. The case has intensified scrutiny over the use of the Alien Enemies Act for deporting alleged gang members and the administration's compliance with judicial orders. Judges have criticized the administration for making little effort to comply with court directives regarding Garcia's case.