Perhaps over the last couple of weeks, you’ve come across many posts regarding Kilmar Abrego-Garcia. And you might be wondering who is Kilmar, and what the heck is going on. well zont worry, here’s the sitch:
What We Know:
➤ Abrego-Garcia is a 29 year old undocumented immigrant from El Salvador that entered the United States back in 2012. He fled his home country after his family and family business was targeted by ‘Barrio-18’ (remember that name)
➤ In March of 2019 Abrego-Garcia was arrested alongside 3 other men from a Home Depot parking lot for ‘loitering.’ At the time, Abrego-Garcia was wearing clothing that officers described as “indicative of the Hispanic gang culture” MS-13. The clothing in question?
“Chicago Bulls hat and a hoodie with rolls of money covering the eyes, ears and mouth of the presidents on the separate denominations.”
➤ According to the police filing, they were able to confirm Abrego-Garcia was an active member of MS-13 via
[…] a past proven and reliable source of information, who advised is an active member of MS-13 with the Westerns clique. The confidential source further advised that he is the rank of “Chequeo”
author’s note~ It’s important to note that “westerns clique” is based in New York, somewhere that Abrego-Garcia has never lived.
A judge agreed with the ‘reliable source’ proving Abrego-Garcia affiliation with the gang, denying him bail and ultimately remained in custody. During this time, Abrego-Garcia’s attorneys filed for asylum and in October 2019 was given a withholding of removal order, which is not the same as asylum, but it does stop the US government from deporting him back to El Salvador. The court approved this because Abrego-Garcia stated having fear of being harmed by Barrio-18, the same gang that had extorted and threatened his family at the time of their fleeing. They also happen to be the rival gang of MS-13. Since then, Abrego-Garcia has been free with the protective order.
but like, i heard he used to beat his wife?
In 2021, Abrego-Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, filed a ‘domestic violence restraining order against him, claiming he punched, scratched, and ripped off her shirt, among other harm.’ as shown by homeland security via twitter (we’ve all agreed to still call in twitter right?)
However, as of April 2025, Vasquez-Sura stated that she never went through with the court order as they had worked things out together privately and describes Abrego-Garcia as being a “a loving partner and father.” She has also denied that he is an MS-13 gang member.
ok yea but, he’s still illegal, so whats the problem?
Well the problem is that Abrego-Garcia’s case isn’t just about immigration. It’s really about what happens when power goes unchecked. And what does that mean? The United States has something called checks and balances, meaning that not one branch of government (congress, the supreme court, nor president) is supposed to have full control. The courts make decisions. The executive branch (the president and his team) has to follow them.
And in this case, despite a legal order, (because remember Abrego-Garcia was granted a withholding of removal by immigration courts) the Trump administration deported him anyway. Which the administration since then has argued was an “administrative error”
On April 4, 2025 The Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States, ordered the Trump administration to bring him back no later than Monday April 7th. The administration refused.
And that’s the real problem of this case, if the courts no longer have authority, and the executive branch can pick and choose which rulings to obey without consequnce, what is truly left of our democracy?
Often times we like to talk and remember the times in history when governments and democracies fell to fascism and yet, why aren’t enough people acknowledging that this is how fascism begins?
Quietly, slowly, masked behind a Home Depot arrest and a gang label.
It doesn’t always start with tanks in the streets.
Sometimes, it starts with a deportation no one stops.