President Donald Trump recently made headlines by labeling Mr. Ábrego García as "not a very innocent guy." This statement came during a press briefing at the White House, drawing attention to García’s troubled history.
García has faced several allegations of criminal behavior, though he has not been convicted of any crimes. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, filed for a protective order in 2021, claiming he had physically assaulted her on multiple occasions. However, she later chose not to pursue the case in court, stating that they had resolved their issues privately and sought counseling together.
In a separate incident in 2022, García was pulled over in Tennessee for speeding. During this stop, an officer suspected he might be involved in human trafficking due to the number of passengers in his vehicle and his travel route from Texas to Maryland. Despite the officer’s concerns, no charges were filed, and García’s wife explained that he worked in construction and often transported workers to different job sites.
The core of the controversy surrounding García involves allegations of his connections to the notorious gang MS-13. The Trump administration has used these claims as a basis to deport him under the Alien Enemies Act, arguing that individuals linked to gangs should be treated as terrorists. This approach has led to the deportation of many individuals under similar allegations.
Senator Chris Van Hollen criticized the administration’s tactics, accusing them of misrepresenting the case. He urged that any claims against García should be made in court rather than on social media.
García was detained by immigration authorities on March 12 in Baltimore and was deported to El Salvador just three days later, on March 15. The situation raises questions about the legal processes involved in such deportations and the broader implications for individuals facing similar allegations.