Man Accidentally Deported Due to Administrative Error After Being Granted Asylum in 2019

Kilmer Armado Abrego-Garcia, a man who was granted asylum in the United States in 2019, was accidentally deported to El Salvador due to an administrative error.

The deportation occurred on March 15 as part of a larger effort by the Trump administration to deport suspected Venezuelan gang members. According to court filings, Abrego-Garcia was accused of being a member of the MS-13 gang in 2019 and was subject to deportation at the time.

However, an immigration judge intervened and ordered ICE not to deport him to El Salvador. Despite this, Abrego-Garcia was detained on March 12 and deported anyway.

"This removal was an error," said Robert L. Cerna, an acting field office director with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "Through an administrative error, Abrego-Garcia was removed from the United States to El Salvador."

Abrego-Garcia's family has sued the U.S. government, requesting that he be returned to the U.S. and for the Trump administration to stop payments to El Salvador for housing deportees. They also deny that he is a member of MS-13.

The case is being considered in a Maryland U.S. District Court.