Democrats Face Scrutiny Over Support for Deported Immigrant Amid Mounting Allegations
A wave of controversy has engulfed Democratic lawmakers who rallied in support of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant deported to El Salvador, as disturbing allegations of violent and criminal behavior surface against him. Once portrayed as a victim of President Trump’s mass deportation policies, Abrego Garcia now stands accused of domestic abuse and human trafficking, casting a shadow over the Democrats who championed his cause.
The controversy erupted after Abrego Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador in March, following years of living illegally in Maryland. Several prominent Democrats, including Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, swiftly condemned the deportation, claiming a lack of due process. However, as evidence of Abrego Garcia’s alleged misconduct mounted, the Democrats’ support has come under intense scrutiny.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking on Fox & Friends Weekend, didn’t mince words, asserting that Democrats’ unwavering support for Abrego Garcia reveals their true priorities. "That they are people who don’t put America first," she declared. "They don’t care about our citizens and protecting our communities. So, I’m glad that the onions been peeled back and that their true motivations have been revealed."
Senator Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador to meet with Abrego Garcia and advocate for his release sparked a wave of similar visits from other left-wing lawmakers. Representatives Yassamin Ansari, Maxine Dexter, Maxwell Frost, and Robert Garcia all traveled to El Salvador, with Dexter even pledging to remain there until Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S.
However, these demonstrations of support have been overshadowed by a growing body of evidence linking Abrego Garcia to criminal activity. Fox News Digital exclusively reported on court records revealing that Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, filed a protective order against him in August 2020, citing verbal and physical abuse against her and mental abuse against her children.
The protective order described a harrowing incident in November 2019, in which Abrego Garcia allegedly grabbed Vasquez Sura "by the hair in the car," dragged her out, and left her on the street. The order also accused him of breaking her son’s tablet, breaking doors in the house, pushing her against a wall, and damaging the walls.
Audio recordings of Vasquez Sura requesting the protective order in 2020 further revealed the extent of the alleged abuse. "On Wednesday, he hit me, like around like, three in the morning, he would just wake up and like, hit me," she told the court. She recounted an incident where Abrego Garcia grabbed her by the hair and slapped her after she screamed for help from a neighbor.
This was not the first time Vasquez Sura had sought protection from Abrego Garcia. In 2021, she filed another protective order request, accusing him of repeatedly hitting her. "At this point, I am afraid to be close to him. I have multiple photos/videos of how violent he can be and all the bruises he [has] left me," she wrote.
Despite the mounting evidence of abuse, Vasquez Sura has publicly defended Abrego Garcia, stating that she acted out of caution following a disagreement and that they were able to work through the situation privately as a family.
The Trump administration and conservative figures have seized on the Abrego Garcia case to condemn Democrats for supporting an illegal immigrant accused of gang ties, human trafficking, and domestic violence. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis criticized the Democratic lawmakers’ "pilgrimage" to El Salvador, contrasting it with their lack of attention to "angel moms" who have lost children to illegal alien crime.
White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller went even further, accusing the media of "obsessively" shilling for an MS-13 terrorist and ignoring the Americans who have been raped, tortured, and murdered by illegal immigrants.
Democrats have defended their support for Abrego Garcia by arguing that he was denied due process. California Senator Alex Padilla told CNN that Democrats are more focused on Abrego Garcia’s due process rights and ensuring he receives a fair court battle. "I think our advocacy here has a little bit less to do with him individually and more the process," Padilla said. "The lack of due process that this administration continues to act with. The laws are clear in this country, even if you are undocumented, you have the right to due process."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries has allegedly called on Democrats to slow their visits to and comments regarding El Salvador, although his office vehemently denied making such a request.
Adding another layer to the controversy, a 2022 Homeland Security Investigations report revealed that Abrego Garcia was suspected of labor/human trafficking and was identified as a member of the notorious MS-13 gang.
Body camera video from a December 2022 traffic stop showed Abrego Garcia driving a car with eight other individuals, raising suspicions of human trafficking. The car belonged to a known human smuggler who had been caught in Mississippi with passengers from Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras.
Abrego Garcia’s legal team has dismissed the body camera video as lacking evidence of a crime and reiterated that he deserves his day in court. "Bring him back to the United States, return him before the same immigration judge who heard his case in 2019, and let him speak for himself," said Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, Abrego Garcia’s lead attorney.
The legal battle surrounding Abrego Garcia’s deportation continues, with a Maryland federal judge ordering the Department of Justice to "take all available steps to facilitate" his return to the U.S. However, the Trump administration argues that it cannot guarantee success in securing his release from El Salvador.
The Abrego Garcia case has become a lightning rod in the ongoing debate over immigration policy, due process, and the role of political advocacy. As the allegations against Abrego Garcia continue to surface, the Democrats who once championed his cause face increasing pressure to explain their support and address the concerns raised by critics.
