WASHINGTON, April 12 — In a highly scrutinized immigration case, the U.S State Department has confirmed that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, is currently “alive and secure” while being held at a specialized detention facility known as the Terrorism Confinement Center. The development follows mounting legal pressure on the federal government to explain its efforts to bring him back to the United States.
The confirmation came through an official court filing on Friday, following U.S District Judge Paula Xinis’s directive for daily updates on Abrego Garcia’s status. The deportation, which occurred on March 15, defied an existing court order protecting Garcia from removal. Since then, the case has drawn considerable legal, political, and diplomatic attention.
Legal Wrangling Intensifies Over Unlawful Deportation
The controversy escalated after the Trump administration acknowledged that Abrego Garcia had been wrongfully removed from the country. A work permit holder residing legally in Maryland since 2019, Garcia had been the subject of a federal court’s protection order, which was ignored during his deportation. The government has admitted the mistake but has argued that returning him promptly is not within its immediate control.
Judge Xinis, reacting to what she described as a violation of judicial authority, demanded that the State Department file daily updates on Garcia’s situation. In response, a sworn statement from Michael Kozak, a senior official from the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs, confirmed that officials at the U.S Embassy in San Salvador had located Garcia and verified his current status. Kozak confirmed that Garcia is being held under the domestic jurisdiction of El Salvador, but stopped short of detailing any steps being taken to facilitate his return.
“I am aware that the lawsuit seeks to return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to the United States from El Salvador,” Kozak noted in his statement. “From what has been officially reported, I understand that he is safe and in stable condition, currently held under the jurisdiction of El Salvador.”
Judge Xinis released her directive soon after the U.S Supreme Court ruled in partial agreement, backing her call for the government to aid in bringing Garcia back. However, the high court expressed reservations about the scope of the term “effectuate,” suggesting that the judge may have overreached her jurisdiction by ordering the administration to complete the repatriation process.
Diplomatic Tensions Surface Ahead of Bilateral Meeting
The diplomatic complexity of the case adds another layer of difficulty. The Trump administration has emphasized that international diplomacy cannot be expected to move at the pace demanded by U.S. courts. The timing of the incident is particularly sensitive, as President Donald Trump is scheduled to meet with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele at the White House on Monday.
When asked whether Trump plans to raise the issue of Garcia’s return with President Bukele, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that the Supreme Court’s guidance was limited. “Our obligation is to assist in the process of returning Mr. Abrego Garcia, but that doesn’t mean we’re required to guarantee his return,” Leavitt explained.
Trump himself weighed in on the matter, stating on Friday that his administration would cooperate fully if the Supreme Court clearly mandated Garcia’s repatriation. He added on Saturday that he looked forward to strengthening ties with El Salvador during his meeting with Bukele, praising the Central American nation for taking custody of individuals the U.S has classified as security threats.
In a statement, Trump declared that those individuals are now entirely under the control of El Salvador, which he described as a strong and independent country. He added that their fate now rests with President Bukele and his administration, and assured that they would no longer pose any danger to people in the United States.
Despite the strong rhetoric, legal experts warn that the United States still holds a responsibility to correct the wrongful deportation. Immigration advocates argue that the government’s failure to prevent Garcia’s removal—despite a clear legal order—sets a dangerous precedent that undermines judicial authority and puts lawful residents at risk.
The State Department has yet to confirm whether diplomatic efforts are underway to negotiate Garcia’s return. Legal analysts expect the case to continue unfolding over the coming days as the court monitors compliance and seeks clarity from the executive branch.
In the meantime, Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains detained in a high-security facility in El Salvador. His fate, for now, lies in a murky intersection of domestic law, international diplomacy, and political calculation.