Washington — The U.S. citizen spouse of a 29-year-old man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration expressed concerns for his safety in the notorious mega-prison where he is currently being held, declaring him “an incredible father” and stating that he is “not a criminal.”
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador on March 15 and incarcerated at the country’s maximum-security facility known as CECOT, as part of a series of U.S. deportation flights that have sparked a significant legal battle in American courts.
The Trump administration has admitted in federal court that his deportation was an “administrative error,” as an immigration judge had granted him legal protection against deportation to El Salvador in 2019. However, they have refused to grant requests to return Abrego Garcia, claiming that the U.S. no longer has custody of him and alleging that he is connected to MS-13, a notorious transnational criminal gang. Abrego Garcia’s attorneys have stated in court filings that he has no criminal record, a fact that the government has not disputed.
In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Jennifer, Abrego Garcia’s wife, stated that she confirmed his deportation and imprisonment at CECOT after recognizing him in a photo released by the Salvadoran government.
“When I saw it, I immediately broke down because I knew it was him,” she recounted. “I was terrified for his life.”
Jennifer, who asked to keep her last name private, mentioned that she was “very scared” about Abrego Garcia being transferred to CECOT due to the presence of some of El Salvador’s most dangerous gang members. She highlighted that a U.S. immigration judge had previously granted him a reprieve from deportation because of fears he could face persecution by gangs in El Salvador.
“I’ve seen reports about that prison,” she commented. “I recognize that they send criminals there. And my husband is not a criminal.”
Abrego Garcia arrived in the U.S. in 2011 at the age of 16. As noted in court documents, he entered the country illegally, without going through immigration inspection.
In 2019, Abrego Garcia was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement after being stopped by local police outside a Home Depot in Maryland. According to his attorneys, he was there searching for work. He remained in ICE detention for several months while an immigration judge assessed his case.
According to court records, an immigration judge initially denied Abrego Garcia’s bond due to information presented by the government suggesting a connection to MS-13. This denial was upheld by an immigration appeals board and was based on details from an informant deemed credible by the government.
Eventually, Abrego Garcia was released from ICE detention when another immigration judge granted him “withholding of removal,” a legal status that prevents deportation of individuals who can demonstrate a high likelihood of facing persecution in their home country. The judge’s ruling stated that Abrego Garcia could be targeted by gangs if returned to El Salvador.
Jennifer mentioned that her husband regularly attended check-ins with ICE after his release and became the primary breadwinner for their family, helping to raise their five-year-old disabled son and two children from a previous relationship. He worked five days a week as a sheet metal worker while also taking college courses, she reported.
However, on March 12, Abrego Garcia was arrested by ICE once again. Jennifer noted that he was driving with their disabled son when he was stopped. She hurried to the scene and was informed by ICE officials that her husband’s status had “changed,” resulting in his fingerprinting and detention.
In the following days, Jennifer stated that her husband was transferred to various immigration detention facilities, including those in Louisiana and Texas. During their final phone call, Abrego Garcia informed her of his impending deportation to El Salvador and imprisonment at CECOT.
Jennifer expressed disbelief at the situation, insisting that there was no justification for the U.S. to send him to a foreign prison. He told her that if she did not hear from him again, it would mean he had been deported.
“He never called,” Jennifer lamented. “I waited and waited. He never made that call.”
Since then, Jennifer stated she has had no communication with her husband. She is now pursuing legal action against the government in a federal district court in Maryland, demanding that steps be taken to return Abrego Garcia to the United States.
While acknowledging that his deportation was a mistake, the Trump administration has defended the decision, arguing in federal court that it opposes his return to the U.S.
The Justice Department maintains that federal courts lack the authority to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, as he is currently under the care of the Salvadoran government and not in U.S. custody. Even if they could order his return, the Justice Department added in a filing, there is “no indication” that El Salvador would consider a release request from the U.S.
Trump administration officials, including White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, have labeled Abrego Garcia as an MS-13 “leader” involved in human trafficking, although they have yet to provide specific evidence supporting such claims.
Jennifer vehemently denied the accusations from the White House, stating that she would be able to recognize if her husband were involved with a gang. Court records show that while Abrego Garcia has some traffic violations, he bears no criminal charges or convictions in the U.S.
“He’s not a criminal,” Jennifer asserted. “My husband is an incredible person. An amazing father.”
