Ezra Klein

And when Abrego Garcia's attorney tried to get more information, he was told that the detective behind the accusation had been suspended and the officers in the gang unit would not speak to him. Abrego Garcia's partner, Jennifer, said she was, quote, shocked when the government said he should stay detained because Kilmar is an MS-13 gang member. Kilmar is not and has never been a gang member.

And when Abrego Garcia's attorney tried to get more information, he was told that the detective behind the accusation had been suspended and the officers in the gang unit would not speak to him. Abrego Garcia's partner, Jennifer, said she was, quote, shocked when the government said he should stay detained because Kilmar is an MS-13 gang member. Kilmar is not and has never been a gang member.

I'm certain of that. In June of 2019, while Obrego Garcia was still detained, he and Jennifer got married, exchanging rings from an officer separated by a pane of glass. Later that year, a judge ruled that Obrego Garcia could not be deported back to El Salvador because he might be murdered by Barrio 18, that his fear was credible. Obrego Garcia was then set free.

I'm certain of that. In June of 2019, while Obrego Garcia was still detained, he and Jennifer got married, exchanging rings from an officer separated by a pane of glass. Later that year, a judge ruled that Obrego Garcia could not be deported back to El Salvador because he might be murdered by Barrio 18, that his fear was credible. Obrego Garcia was then set free.

Each year since then, he has checked in with immigration authorities. He's been employed as a sheet metal apprentice. He's a member of the local union. He was studying for a vocational license at University of Maryland. His last check-in with immigration authorities was on January 2nd. No incident.

Each year since then, he has checked in with immigration authorities. He's been employed as a sheet metal apprentice. He's a member of the local union. He was studying for a vocational license at University of Maryland. His last check-in with immigration authorities was on January 2nd. No incident.

There is no evidence anywhere, offered by anyone, that has suggested Obrego Garcia poses a threat to anyone in this country. But on March 12th, Obrego Garcia was pulled over while driving, his five-year-old in the backseat. He was told his immigration status had changed.

There is no evidence anywhere, offered by anyone, that has suggested Obrego Garcia poses a threat to anyone in this country. But on March 12th, Obrego Garcia was pulled over while driving, his five-year-old in the backseat. He was told his immigration status had changed.

On March 15th, in defiance of the 2019 court ruling, Obrego Garcia was flown to El Salvador and imprisoned at Seacott as a terrorist. The Trump administration, in its own legal filings, has said this was a, quote, administrative error. They themselves, their administration, said they should not have done this. It was a mistake. That they should not have done this is not just my opinion.

On March 15th, in defiance of the 2019 court ruling, Obrego Garcia was flown to El Salvador and imprisoned at Seacott as a terrorist. The Trump administration, in its own legal filings, has said this was a, quote, administrative error. They themselves, their administration, said they should not have done this. It was a mistake. That they should not have done this is not just my opinion.

I want to read to you from the editorial of the National Review, probably the country's leading conservative magazine. Here is the first sentence. The court fight over Kilmar Armando Abrego-Garcia is a most unusual one in that no one denies that the government violated the law in deporting him.

I want to read to you from the editorial of the National Review, probably the country's leading conservative magazine. Here is the first sentence. The court fight over Kilmar Armando Abrego-Garcia is a most unusual one in that no one denies that the government violated the law in deporting him.

This case has made its way to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court ordered that the administration, quote, "...facilitate Abrego Garcia's release from custody in El Salvador and ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador." I feel I don't have the proper words to describe this next part, how grotesque it is, how dangerous it is.

This case has made its way to the Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court ordered that the administration, quote, "...facilitate Abrego Garcia's release from custody in El Salvador and ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador." I feel I don't have the proper words to describe this next part, how grotesque it is, how dangerous it is.

What they deny is that they have the authority to bring him back.

What they deny is that they have the authority to bring him back.

That authority, they say, lies with President Bukele.

That authority, they say, lies with President Bukele.

And standing next to Donald Trump, President Bukele says he can also not send him back.

And standing next to Donald Trump, President Bukele says he can also not send him back.