In a bold stance that has intensified diplomatic tensions, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has refused to comply with a U.S. Supreme Court directive to return a man allegedly mistakenly deported to El Salvador. During a meeting at the White House, Bukele dismissed the court's order, stating, "How can I smuggle a terrorist into the United States? I'm not going to do it."
The U.S. Supreme Court had unanimously ruled that the government must "facilitate" Abrego García's return, emphasizing the illegality of his deportation. However, the Trump administration interpreted this as an obligation only to remove domestic barriers, asserting that the actual return depended on El Salvador's cooperation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi reinforced this position, stating that the decision to return Abrego García rests solely with El Salvador. White House advisor Stephen Miller added that facilitating his return would equate to "kidnapping a citizen of El Salvador and flying him back here."
This incident underscores the complexities of international law and the challenges faced when domestic court orders intersect with foreign sovereignty. As Abrego García remains detained, the situation continues to draw attention to the broader implications of immigration enforcement and diplomatic relations.