Stephen Miller, the deputy chief of staff for policy at the White House, recently addressed claims about the deportation of an illegal immigrant from Maryland. During an appearance on Fox News, Miller firmly stated that Kilmar Abrego Garcia was not mistakenly sent back to El Salvador, as some reports suggested. He emphasized that Abrego Garcia is indeed an illegal immigrant from El Salvador and has a valid deportation order from 2019.
Miller explained that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was executed correctly, saying, “He was not mistakenly sent to El Salvador. He is an illegal alien from El Salvador.” He pointed out that Abrego Garcia’s background is clear: he is a citizen of El Salvador, a resident there, and has been living illegally in the United States.
The controversy arose from a claim made by a Department of Justice lawyer who suggested that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was an error. Miller labeled this individual a "saboteur" and noted that the lawyer has since been dismissed from their position. He insisted that the deportation was proper and that the information about Abrego Garcia’s status was misrepresented.
Miller also addressed questions about a "withholding order," which can prevent deportation if an individual is at risk of persecution in their home country. He clarified that since Abrego Garcia is allegedly associated with the MS-13 gang, he would not qualify for such an order. Furthermore, Miller stated that the gang Abrego Garcia is said to be fleeing from no longer exists in El Salvador.
Abrego Garcia has denied being a member of MS-13, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has accused him of gang affiliation based on information from local law enforcement. This case highlights ongoing debates about immigration policy and enforcement in the United States, particularly regarding the treatment of individuals with criminal backgrounds.