A legal battle over the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has taken a dramatic turn as court documents reveal his history of domestic violence and alleged MS-13 gang membership.
According to Fox News, newly released Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Prince George's County court records show that Abrego Garcia, who Democrats have dubbed a "Maryland man," has a documented history of domestic abuse and gang affiliations that contradict claims about his innocence.
The domestic violence allegations came to light through court filings where his wife, Jennifer Vasquez, detailed multiple incidents of physical abuse between 2020 and 2021. She described being punched, scratched, and having her clothes forcibly removed during violent encounters, leading her to seek a restraining order against him.
Prince George's County court documents written in Vasquez's own handwriting paint a disturbing picture of repeated assault. She documented specific incidents, including being hit with a work boot in November 2020 and sustaining a black eye from another attack in August of the same year.
Vasquez expressed fear for her safety in the court filing, stating she had compiled photo and video evidence of the abuse and resulting injuries. The documentation included descriptions of Abrego Garcia destroying her property and leaving visible bruises on her body.
Department of Homeland Security officials discovered Abrego Garcia during a murder investigation where he was found with known MS-13 members. Local police intelligence confirmed his gang membership through a reliable source who identified him as an active member with the rank of "Chequeo."
Senator Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., has traveled to El Salvador to advocate for Abrego Garcia's release from the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), where he was deported last month. This move has sparked controversy and criticism from various quarters.
Rachel Morin's mother publicly condemned Van Hollen's efforts, questioning why the senator would prioritize an illegal immigrant over seeking justice for her daughter, who was murdered by another Salvadoran illegal immigrant in 2023.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the deportation decision, stating:
The media would love for you to believe that this is some media darling, that he is just some Maryland father, but Osama bin Laden was also a father, and yet he wasn't a good guy, and they are actually both terrorists. He should be in this El Salvador prison, prison for terrorists, and I hope he will remain there.
Immigration court records show Abrego Garcia entered the United States illegally in 2012, crossing the border near McAllen, Texas. During a 2019 DHS interview, he admitted to walking through the desert for several days to enter the country unlawfully.
The Baltimore federal immigration court determined he posed a danger to the community based on verified gang membership evidence. The court found that the testimony of a "past, proven, and reliable source" sufficiently established his MS-13 affiliation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi maintains that while the Trump administration will remove administrative obstacles, Abrego Garcia's return ultimately depends on El Salvador's decision to release him.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing immigration debate, with newly revealed court documents challenging the narrative of his wrongful deportation. The 29-year-old Salvadoran national faces serious allegations of domestic violence and gang membership that led to his deportation to El Salvador's maximum-security prison. While Democrats and some media outlets continue pushing for his return to the United States following a Supreme Court decision, law enforcement records and victim testimony present compelling evidence supporting the Trump administration's decision to deport him.
