A day after a federal court sought details on the status of a Maryland man who was deported in error to El Salvador, the State Department told a judge that Kilmar Abrego Garcia is “alive and secure” but still not on American soil.
This undated photo provided by CASA, an immigrant advocacy organization, in April 2025, shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
CASA via AP
“It is my understanding based on official reporting from our Embassy in San Salvador that Abrego Garcia is currently being held in the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador,” said Michael Kozak, a senior bureau official for the State Department, in a declaration submitted on Saturday minutes after the 5 p.m. deadline set by the judge.
“He is alive and secure in that facility,” Kozak added. “He is detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador.”
The Supreme Court had ordered the the U.S. government “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return to America.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
