Fox News host Bill Hemmer and White House Policy deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller quarreled Monday over the deportation of suspected MS-13 gangs who were deported by President Donald Trump’s administration.
The White House defended the deportation of Kilmer Armand Abrego Garcia, a citizen of El Salvador. In a heated debate over the “American Newsroom,” Miller told Hemmer that Garcia was never “mis-sent” to his home country as he is an illegal immigrant who is clearly associated with violent criminal gangs.
“This is portrayed as wrong in the news media for 72 hours. They said that a court can force you to do what you can do, which can force you to promote a return that basically means if El Salvador voluntarily sends him back, we won’t block him at the airport. [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] He will be detained and deported back to El Salvador or elsewhere,” Miller said. The false report of this was brutal. He wasn’t, it wasn’t a bill, it’s important, he was not mistakenly sent to El Salvador. He is an illegal alien from El Salvador and is doing his best. This is important.
“In 2019 he was deported and he was the final removal order from the US. These are things no one can compete with. Where did he come from El Salvador? Where is he?
Miller further said that the immigration judge’s retention order regarding Garcia’s deportation is invalid as he is a suspect in a foreign terrorist organization. (Related: Stephen Miller says Democrats have just removed “one of the stupidest points” but to the Save Act)
clock:
Visibly upset, hemmer asks Miller if he is certain Garcia is currently a member of the MS-13.
“Okay, so you answered my question. Give me a chance… I get it, I get it, I get it. Give me a chance… You don’t even allow me to even ask you questions,” hemmer snapped. “Are you sure he’s still a member of the MS-13? That was your ex-price. Are you supporting that now?”
“Yes, but here it is. Bill. Yes, but I’m not only sure of it, but not only is El Salvador sure of it, Bill, he is an illegal Salvador alien with deportation orders! Should we banish him?” replied Miller.
The Trump administration admitted that Garcia’s deportation was a misadventure, but they argued that he was a member of the MS-13 gang and should be detained in El Salvador. US District Judge Paula Sinis, an Obama-appointed judge, ordered the administration to quickly influence Garcia’s return to the United States.
Chief Justice John Roberts temporarily blocked the judge’s order in his April 7 ruling, saying the United States cannot “force El Salvador to comply with the federal judge’s bid.” Miller further told Hemmer that forcing El Salvador to pull Garcia back to the United States would be “an unimaginable act and an invasion of Salvador’s sovereignty.”
However, the Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the administration should “promote” Garcia’s return and directed the lower court to clarify the order.
According to court documents, Garcia illegally entered the United States in 2011 and eventually settled in the Maryland area. Documents compiled by the Prince George County Police Department after his arrest in 2019 confirmed that Garcia was a documented member of MS-13 and provided the gang name and rank within the gang.
Judge Garcia took the protected status after finding in October 2019 that he was likely to be persecuted by a gang in October 2019, according to court documents. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents informed Garcia of the change in his status and arrested him on March 12th, urging him to be deported to El Salvador.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation is an independent, nonpartisan newswire service that is free to use for legitimate news publishers that can provide large audiences. All republished articles must include logos, reporter signatures and DCNF affiliation. For questions regarding our guidelines or partnerships with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
