Trump Says He'll Return Abrego Garcia to U.S. If Supreme Court Orders It

Washington, April 12, 2025 . International Law & Politics — U.S. President Donald Trump has stated that he would comply with a Supreme Court directive to bring Kilmer Abrego Garcia back to the United States from a prison in El Salvador, where he was mistakenly deported. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump clarified that while he is not bound by lower court rulings, he holds the Supreme Court in high regard and would follow its order without hesitation.

“I’m not talking about the lower courts. I respect the Supreme Court deeply. If they say he should be brought back, I’ll honor that,” said Trump.

Supreme Court Pressures Administration After Admitting Deportation Error

Trump’s comments come in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent observation that the administration should facilitate the return of Garcia, acknowledging the government’s error in deporting him to one of El Salvador’s most notorious mega-prisons.

According to NBC News, the court has asked the administration to outline its next steps, following its own admission that Abrego Garcia’s removal was a mistake.

Who is Kilmer Abrego Garcia?

• Originally from El Salvador, Garcia was a legal resident of the U.S.

• He fled his home country to escape gang violence

• Last month, he was wrongfully deported and placed in a high-security Salvadoran prison alongside alleged members of Venezuelan gangs

Garcia’s legal team argues that he has no criminal record and was legally residing in the U.S., making his deportation not only unlawful but also dangerous to his well-being.

Legal and Political Ramifications

The situation raises complex questions about immigration enforcement, due process, and the limits of executive power. President Trump’s remark distancing himself from lower courts but pledging obedience to the Supreme Court underscores the tensions between branches of government on immigration-related actions.

This case is also poised to reignite debate over the treatment of asylum seekers and the procedural rigor of deportation processes under the Trump administration.