Vice President JD Vance recently defended the Trump administration after a significant mistake by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) came to light. This error involved the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man who had been living unlawfully in Maryland. The incident raises serious questions about how immigration enforcement is conducted.
Abrego Garcia was sent back to El Salvador last month on a deportation flight. This was particularly troubling because, despite a 2019 ruling by an immigration judge that ordered his removal, the judge specifically prohibited his deportation to El Salvador due to fears of persecution and torture. ICE acknowledged that an “administrative error” led to his removal, as he was mistakenly placed on the flight.
ICE official Robert L. Cerna explained to a federal judge that the deportation was based on a final order of removal and the belief that Abrego Garcia was linked to the MS-13 gang. Critics have pointed out that this incident highlights a broader issue of the federal government deporting individuals without proper legal processes.
When asked about the case, Vice President Vance stated that Abrego Garcia was a convicted MS-13 gang member and had no legal right to remain in the U.S. He emphasized that it is wrong to focus on the deportation of gang members while ignoring the victims of their crimes.
In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security charged Abrego Garcia with illegally residing in the United States. The immigration judge denied him bond, citing his verified membership in MS-13 and the danger he posed to the community. Although he appealed the decision, the Board of Immigration Appeals upheld the judge’s ruling.
On October 10, 2019, the judge ordered Abrego Garcia’s removal but specifically barred deportation to El Salvador. He was released from ICE custody and lived in the U.S. for over five years before being arrested again in March 2025 for his involvement with MS-13.
ICE stated that operations to remove individuals were intended to include only those with no legal barriers to deportation. Abrego Garcia was initially not on the manifest for the flight but was moved up the list as others were removed for various reasons. Unfortunately, his name was not flagged as someone who should not be deported.
This incident has sparked a debate about the immigration enforcement process and the potential for similar errors in the future. Many are calling for a review of procedures to prevent such mistakes and to ensure that individuals are not wrongfully deported.