(TJV NEWS) A Salvadoran migrant recently deported from the U.S. is now at the center of a political firestorm. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, 29, who was removed from Maryland and returned to El Salvador in March, was found in possession of “rolls of cash and drugs” at the time of his arrest — details that support previous court findings identifying him as a member of the violent MS-13 gang.

Assistant Secretary @DHSgov, @TriciaOhio: “He is a member of MS-13. I don’t think you’d want to be his neighbor… he has been involved in human trafficking… and he should not be in this country. So, whether he is in an El Salvadorian jail or a U.S. detention facility, I am SO… pic.twitter.com/no0u9dZWel

— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) April 15, 2025

Responding to growing support for Abrego-Garcia from some Democratic lawmakers, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin firmly defended the deportation, stating that the evidence aligns with his gang affiliation.

“I believe this individual is exactly where he belongs — back in El Salvador,” McLaughlin said in a Fox News interview. “He was in the country illegally and has been linked to MS-13, something many media outlets have conveniently left out of their coverage.”

Pushing back on portrayals of Abrego-Garcia as a family man unfairly deported, McLaughlin added: “Just because someone has children doesn’t absolve them of violent criminal ties. He’s been linked to terrorism and gang activity, and I support his placement in El Salvador’s high-security facility for such individuals.”

I just landed in San Salvador a little while ago, and I look forward to meeting with the team at the U.S. embassy to discuss the release of Mr. Abrego Garcia.

I also hope to meet with Salvadoran officials and with Kilmar himself. He was illegally abducted and needs to come home. pic.twitter.com/MzKe7U8Wwr

— Senator Chris Van Hollen (@ChrisVanHollen) April 16, 2025

She also expressed gratitude to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele for holding Abrego-Garcia at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT).

In another media appearance, this time on ABC News, McLaughlin reiterated her stance: “He is a confirmed member of MS-13, with involvement in human trafficking. Whether he’s in an American detention center or a Salvadoran prison, the important thing is that he’s no longer on U.S. streets.”

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem echoed McLaughlin’s sentiments, criticizing what she described as attempts by “liberal media” and political figures to portray Abrego-Garcia as a victim, despite his documented ties to organized crime and trafficking.

Although the Trump administration acknowledged a procedural error in transferring Abrego-Garcia directly to the CECOT facility, officials maintain that he is a dangerous individual whose removal from the U.S. was warranted.

Nevertheless, Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), have voiced concern over his deportation. Van Hollen traveled to El Salvador this week to advocate for Abrego-Garcia’s return to the United States, calling the deportation unlawful.

Senator Van Hollen has done more to bring a MS-13 gang member, human trafficker and illegal alien back to Maryland than he has to help keep his American constituents safe or advocate for the victims of these vicious gangs like MS-13. ⁰⁰While Senator Van Hollen and the… https://t.co/nZacQJAFzW

— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) April 16, 2025

“He was removed under questionable circumstances and deserves to come back,” the senator said before a meeting at the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador.

DHS criticized Van Hollen’s efforts, accusing him of prioritizing the return of “a gang-affiliated individual” over the safety and interests of his constituents. In a statement shared on social media, the agency wrote, “While Senator Van Hollen and parts of the media focus on this man’s story, we stand with the victims of crimes committed by illegal gang members — including Maryland mom Rachel Morin.”