WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – White House officials and the leader of El Salvador are defending their decision to not return a Maryland man wrongly deported to El Salvador last month despite a Supreme Court ruling calling for the U.S. to facilitate his return.
White House officials say it’s now up to El Salvador whether to return the Maryland man to the U.S.
El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele said he won’t return Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the U.S..
The White House previously said Garcia’s case was an administrative error but maintains that he’s part of the MS-13 gang.
“The question is preposterous. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States?” asked.
President Donald Trump thanked Bukele for putting suspected gang members in prisons.
The Supreme Court has upheld an order for the Trump administration to “facilitate” Garcia’s return.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said it’s now up to El Salvador.
“If they wanted to return him, we would facilitate it, meaning provide a plane,” said Bondi.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the president has authority.
“The foreign policy of the United States is conducted by the President of the United States, not by a court,” said Rubio.
Garcia’s family and supporters rallied outside the White House Monday calling for his return.
A district court judge is set to hold a hearing Tuesday on whether the administration is complying with the order to facilitate Garcia’s return.
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