Fact Check: Is Kilmer Abrego Garcia a US citizen

Fact Check: Is Kilmar Abrego Garcia a US Citizen?

What We Know

Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a Salvadoran national who entered the United States illegally around 2011. He was granted protection from deportation by an immigration judge due to potential persecution by gangs in his home country, El Salvador. Despite this protected legal status, he was deported to El Salvador in March 2025 due to what the Trump administration described as an “administrative error”. This deportation led to significant legal and political controversy, with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the administration must facilitate his return to the United States.

Abrego Garcia has a U.S. citizen wife and child, but there is no evidence to suggest that he himself is a U.S. citizen. U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal stated that he has legal status in the United States, but did not claim he was a citizen. Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security has clarified that Abrego Garcia is not a U.S. citizen, countering some misleading reports in the media (source-1).

Analysis

The claim that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a U.S. citizen is not supported by the available evidence. Multiple sources, including statements from government officials and court rulings, consistently refer to him as a Salvadoran national with legal protection from deportation, not as a U.S. citizen. The BBC and NPR reports confirm his Salvadoran nationality and the circumstances of his deportation and subsequent legal battles.

The reliability of the sources varies. The statement from Representative Pramila Jayapal is a credible source as it comes from a U.S. Congress member directly involved in immigration issues. The Department of Homeland Security's statement is also a reliable source, providing an official government position. The BBC and NPR are reputable news organizations known for their fact-based reporting. However, the Wikipedia entry and Fact Check blog should be used cautiously as they may not always reflect the most current or verified information.

Conclusion

The claim that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a U.S. citizen is False. The evidence clearly indicates that he is a Salvadoran national who was living in the United States under legal protection from deportation due to the risk of persecution in his home country. There is no documentation or credible source that supports the claim of his U.S. citizenship.