The Trump admin is putting America First no matter what. Everyone else has to come to grips with that.
And Donald Trump forced a foreign president to bend the knee right in front of the media in the White House.
El Salvador President Promises Trump He Won’t Let Violent Illegal Immigrant Return To U.S.
President Donald Trump welcomed El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to the White House on Monday, where the two leaders addressed the contentious case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant with alleged ties to the notorious MS-13 gang. Bukele made it clear that El Salvador would not facilitate Garcia’s return to the United States, aligning with the Trump administration’s tough stance on immigration and national security. The meeting highlighted a shared commitment to keeping dangerous individuals out of both nations, marking a significant moment in U.S.-El Salvador relations.
Garcia, an El Salvadoran national who unlawfully entered the U.S. in 2011, was deported to his home country on March 12 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The Trump administration has maintained that Garcia’s alleged connections to MS-13, a violent transnational gang, justify his permanent removal from American soil. Court documents reveal that Prince George’s County Police Department provided evidence of Garcia’s gang alias and rank, reinforcing the administration’s position that he poses a threat. While the deportation was later attributed to a clerical error, Trump officials argue that Garcia’s history makes his detention in El Salvador both lawful and necessary.
During a candid exchange in the Oval Office with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins, President Bukele dismissed suggestions that he should facilitate Garcia’s return to the U.S. “I suppose you’re suggesting that I smuggle a terrorist into the United States,” Bukele said. “How can I smuggle, how can I return him to the United States, like I smuggle him into the United States? Of course, I’m not going to do it. I mean, the question is preposterous. How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I don’t have the power to return him to the United States. We’re not very fond of releasing terrorists into our country. But you just turned the m*rder capital of the world to the safest country of the western hemisphere and you want us to go back into releasing criminals so we can go back to being the m*rder capital of the world? That’s not gonna happen.” Bukele’s words resonated with Trump’s hardline approach to immigration enforcement.
The case has sparked legal battles, with a 2019 ruling by an immigration judge granting Garcia “withholding of removal” status after determining he could face persecution by gangs if returned to El Salvador. Garcia settled in Maryland, married an American citizen, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, and fathered a child. Yet, the Trump administration contends that his alleged MS-13 ties outweigh these factors. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, appearing on America’s Newsroom, emphasized that Garcia’s 2019 protections are invalid due to his suspected membership in a foreign terrorist organization. Miller affirmed that if El Salvador were to send Garcia back, ICE would swiftly detain and deport him to another country.
Complicating matters, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, appointed by President Obama, ordered Garcia’s return to the U.S., a decision the Trump administration fiercely contested. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts intervened on April 7, halting Xinis’s ruling and asserting that the U.S. cannot force El Salvador to comply with a federal judge’s directive. “The District Court should clarify its directive, with due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs,” the Supreme Court later ruled on Thursday, urging the lower court to reconsider its order while acknowledging the government’s efforts to resolve the issue diplomatically.
The Trump administration’s handling of the Garcia case illustrates its unwavering focus on national security and immigration enforcement. By prioritizing the deportation of individuals with alleged gang affiliations, the administration aims to protect American communities from the violence associated with groups like MS-13. Bukele’s refusal to return Garcia aligns with his own transformative agenda in El Salvador, where his policies have dramatically reduced crime rates, turning the nation from a global m*rder hotspot into one of the safest in the Western Hemisphere. The synergy between Trump and Bukele signals a mutual rejection of lax immigration policies that could undermine public safety.
Critics of the administration argue that Garcia’s family ties in the U.S. and his 2019 protected status warrant his return. However, supporters of Trump’s policies counter that allowing individuals with suspected gang connections to remain in the country sets a dangerous precedent.
The administration’s appeal to the Supreme Court and its diplomatic engagement with El Salvador demonstrate a strategic effort to balance legal obligations with the imperative to safeguard American citizens. The court’s call for clarification ensures that the executive branch’s authority in foreign affairs remains intact, a principle central to Trump’s governance.
The Alien Enemies Act exists for a reason, and the Supreme Court got it right siding with President Trump.
This isn’t about immigration. It’s about national security. If we can’t deport violent foreign gang members, what kind of nation are we? pic.twitter.com/daGBeErJk0
— Daniel Cameron (@DanielCameronKY) April 14, 2025
The Garcia case also sheds light on the complexities of international deportation agreements. While the U.S. seeks to remove individuals deemed threats, sovereign nations like El Salvador retain the right to refuse re-entry of their citizens. Bukele’s firm stance reflects his determination to maintain El Salvador’s hard-won security gains, a goal that dovetails with Trump’s mission to strengthen borders and prioritize law-abiding citizens. The collaboration between the two leaders serves as a model for how nations can work together to address shared challenges like gang violence and illegal immigration.
The Supreme Court’s directive for further clarification offers hope for a resolution that respects both U.S. law and international sovereignty. For now, Garcia remains in El Salvador, and the partnership between Trump and Bukele stands as a testament to the power of decisive leadership in tackling thorny issues. With both leaders committed to keeping criminals at bay, the message is clear: the safety of their people comes before political posturing.
The Conservative Column will update you on any more important Trump administration updates.
