Photo credit: www.cbsnews.com
The incident involving a 29-year-old Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was incorrectly deported to El Salvador last month, has drawn significant public attention following revelations about his past. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez, had previously filed for a protective order against him in 2021, citing domestic violence allegations, according to court documents reviewed by CBS News.
Vasquez obtained a temporary protective order in May 2021. Court records indicate that the allegations against Abrego Garcia included claims that he physically assaulted her, which led to a court ruling that barred him from contacting her and required him to leave their home. Furthermore, he was instructed to surrender any firearms in his possession.
However, the protective order case was dismissed in June 2021 when Vasquez did not attend a final hearing. Subsequently, the couple resumed living together.
In a statement released to CBS News, Vasquez explained her reasons for seeking the order: “After surviving domestic violence in a previous relationship, I acted out of caution after a disagreement with Kilmar by seeking a civil protective order in case things escalated,” she stated. She noted that the situation did not worsen, and they managed to resolve their issues privately, even attending counseling to strengthen their relationship. Vasquez emphasized her unwavering support for Abrego Garcia, highlighting that he has been a caring partner and father. She voiced her concerns over the actions taken by immigration authorities, calling it wrongful and an act of injustice.
Notably, Vasquez is a U.S. citizen, while Abrego Garcia is originally from El Salvador. The Trump administration acknowledged that a clerical mistake led to Abrego Garcia’s deportation on March 15. Following this incident, a series of legal proceedings ensued, culminating in a recent ruling by the Supreme Court mandating that the administration facilitate his return.
Despite the Court’s directive, progress in the case has been slow. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has expressed frustration over the Trump administration’s lack of cooperation, criticizing them for not providing crucial information regarding Abrego Garcia’s status and failing to comply with her orders for his return.
Abrego Garcia was part of a larger group of migrants deported that day, which included 238 Venezuelans and 23 Salvadorans. Many of these deportations were justified by the administration under allegations of gang affiliations, although such claims were often unsupported by evidence. President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to justify the deportations.
Following a ruling from another federal judge, it was determined that there was probable cause to hold the Trump administration in contempt of court for disregarding orders related to the flights. Currently, Abrego Garcia is reportedly being held in a maximum-security prison in El Salvador, under an arrangement with Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele.
During a recent meeting with President Trump, Bukele indicated that he would not return Abrego Garcia to the United States, with U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi stating that the decision of return ultimately lies with El Salvador.
Abrego Garcia entered the U.S. illegally in 2011 when he was just 16 years old. Although he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in 2019, a judge granted him “withholding of removal” status due to the risk of persecution from gangs should he be sent back to El Salvador. His recent arrest on March 12 stemmed from a traffic stop, during which authorities accused him of gang affiliation based on an informant’s claims—a charge his family and legal advocates vehemently deny. Notably, government records show that Abrego Garcia does not have a criminal history in either the U.S. or El Salvador.
Vasquez has publicly defended her husband, stating, “He is not a criminal. My husband is an amazing person. An amazing father.”
Source
www.cbsnews.com