El Salvador’s president calls return of deported Maryland man 'preposterous'

What Happened?

El Salvador President, Nayib Bukele, told reporters on Monday that he would not return a Mayland man that the Justice Department said it mistakenly deported to his country.

President Bukele joined President Donald Trump in the Oval Office for questions surrounding the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Abrego Garcia was reportedly sent to a Salvadoran supermax prison on March 15 despite a 2019 protective order that should have prevented his departure.

'How can I return him to the United States? Like if I smuggle him into the United States? Of course, I'm not going to do it,' Bukele told reporters. 'The question is preposterous.'

Bukele added sitting next to President Trump that El Salvador is 'not very fond of releasing terrorists.'

Trump supported those remarks by suggesting some would 'love to have a criminal released into our country.'

NBC News reports that Abrego Garcia has never been charged criminally in the U.S. or El Salvador.

Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, expressed similar concerns after not understanding 'the confusion' over the order.

'The foreign policy of the United States is conducted by the president of the United States, not by a court, and no court in the United States has a right to conduct a foreign policy of the United States,' Rubio said.

Trump officials added that the Supreme Court ruled in favor of that sentiment 9-0.

Why it Matters

The Supreme Court temporarily paused a lower court's order that imposed a midnight deadline to return Abrego Garcia.

Chief Justice, John Roberts, granted the 'administrative stay' to extend the deadline until the court issues a more firm decision.

The order will remain in place 'pending further order of the undersigned or of the court.'

White House's attorneys claimed U.S. District Judge, Paula Xinis', ruling 'sets the United States up for failure' because it cannot compel El Salvador to 'follow a federal judge's bidding.'

Abrego Garcia’s case adds to the ongoing tensions amid mass deportation efforts being carried out by the Trump administration.

Some are concerned about immigrants being deported without a hearing or review.

Attorneys for the Trump administration had previously conceded that Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported 'because of an administrative error.'

The U.S. said it could not bring the Maryland man back due to being in Salvadoran custody and any order of doing so was 'unprecedented.'

How it Affects You

Trump has heavily criticized judges who have blocked his recent policies as he aims to carry out mass deportations of illegal immigrants.

Within the first 50 days, ICE agents have enforced over 32,000 arrests.

Almost 75% of those arrests were of accused or convicted criminals, according to the Department of Homeland Security. ICE agents aim to ramp up their efforts.

Abrego Garcia, who was reportedly in the country illegally, was withheld by an immigration judge from being deported in 2019.

But newer claims suggest Abrego Garcia was involved with El Salvador gang activity.

The Trump administration states these actions fall under the president's powers despite ongoing legal battles that challenge minimal due process.