A State Department official revealed the status of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, saying he is “alive and secure” in the Central American country’s notorious mega-prison.
In a court filing released on Saturday, Michael G. Kozak, a longtime official within the State Department, said, “It is my understanding based on official reporting from our Embassy in San
Salvador that Abrego Garcia is currently being held in the Terrorism Confinement Center in El
Salvador. He is alive and secure in that facility.”
“He is detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador,” he added.
The update came just after a 5 p.m. deadline set by Judge Paula Xinis, in which she ordered that officials provide daily reports on the location and status of Abrego Garcia and what steps the Trump administration is taking to “facilitate” his return to the United States. The report from Kozak did not mention any action the U.S. is taking to help with his return to the country.
This update comes after the Supreme Court ordered that the Trump administration must “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S. after he was mistakenly deported to the Salvadoran mega-prison in mid-March.
It also comes ahead of a visit to the White House from Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele set for Monday.
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President Donald Trump said he is “looking forward” to the meeting in a post on Truth Social on Saturday and praised Bukele’s assistance in accepting deportation flights.
“Looking forward to seeing President Bukele, of El Salvador, on Monday! Our Nations are working closely together to eradicate terrorist organizations, and build a future of Prosperity. President Bukele has graciously accepted into his Nation’s custody some of the most violent alien enemies of the World and, in particular, the United States. These barbarians are now in the sole custody of El Salvador, a proud and sovereign Nation, and their future is up to President B and his Government. They will never threaten or menace our Citizens again!” Trump said.
