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Category: Immigration
April 25, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Crime
Immigration

WATCH: AG Bondi Describes How Arrested Judge Snuck Illegal Out of Court to Evade ICE.

PULSE POINTS:

❓ What Happened: Attorney General Pam Bondi has described the circumstances that led to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents arresting Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on April 25, 2025, for allegedly obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement (ICE) by helping a previously deported illegal alien, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, escape arrest at her courthouse.

👥 Who’s Involved: Judge Hannah Dugan, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, ICE agents, and Eduardo Flores Ruiz, a Mexican illegal with a domestic abuse charge.

📍 Where & When: Milwaukee County Courthouse, Wisconsin, with the incident occurring on April 18, 2025, and the arrest on April 25, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “The Judge learns that ICE was outside to get the guy… She comes back into the courtroom… Takes the defendant and the defense attorney back in her chambers… and tells them to leave.”

⚠️ Impact: Dugan’s arrest underscores the Trump administration’s strong stance on immigration enforcement, potentially deterring judicial interference while intensifying federal-local tensions over sanctuary policies.

IN FULL:

The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on April 25, 2025, charging her with obstructing an ICE operation after she allegedly helped an illegal alien evade arrest. The incident, which unfolded on April 18 at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, has intensified the debate over the role of judges in hindering immigration enforcement, with the Trump administration signaling a no-tolerance approach.

Speaking on Fox News, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Judge Dugan intervened when ICE agents arrived to detain Eduardo Flores Ruiz, a Mexican migrant previously deported in 2013 and facing misdemeanor battery charges related to domestic abuse. Bondi detailed the events: “The Judge learns that ICE was outside to get the guy, because he had been deported in 2013, came back into our country, charged with committing these crimes, victim is in court. Judge finds out. She goes out into the hallway. Screams at the immigration officer. She’s furious. Visibly shaken. Upset. Sends them off to talk to the chief judge. She comes back into the courtroom. You’re not going to believe this. Takes the defendant and the defense attorney back in her chambers. Takes them out a private exit and tells them to leave. While the state prosecutor and victims of domestic violence are sitting in the courtroom.”

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest, stating that Dugan “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse,” allowing Flores Ruiz to initially evade capture. ICE agents later apprehended him after a foot chase, but Patel noted the judge’s actions “created increased danger to the public.” Dugan now faces felony charges of obstruction and concealing a person from arrest, which could lead to up to six years in prison if convicted.

Dugan, elected as a judge in 2016 and endorsed by Milwaukee’s Democratic mayor, previously served as head of Catholic Charities, where she supported refugee resettlement—a background some argue may have influenced her decision to shield Flores Ruiz. The case echoes a 2018 incident in Massachusetts, where a judge faced charges for helping an illegal immigrant escape ICE, though those charges were later dropped.

Democrats have suggested the arrest of a judge by federal authorities signals an authoritarian turn by the Trump administration, but administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have turned a line previously used against President Trump back against them, stating that “No one is above the law.”

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April 25, 2025
Immigration

Some Foreign Students See Legal Status Restored as ICE Plans New Visa Termination Policies.

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❓What Happened: The Trump administration has decided to reinstate the legal status of foreign students whose student visas were recently terminated. This comes as U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to develop a new policy for handling visa termination.

👥 Who’s Involved: The decision involves the Trump administration, ICE, foreign students, the Justice Department (DOJ), and a number of American universities across the country.

📍 Where & When: Affected students across the U.S. began seeing their statuses restored as of Thursday afternoon. The announcement was made during a hearing in the Northern District of California.

💬 Key Quote: DOJ attorney Elizabeth D. Kurlan stated, “ICE still maintains the authority to terminate a SEVIS record for other reasons.”

⚠️ Impact: The reinstatement affects many foreign students, allowing some to regain their status, though their visas remain revoked, causing uncertainty. The termination still appears on records, potentially affecting future visas or green card applications.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration announced on Friday that it would restore the legal status of a number of foreign students whose records were previously terminated. Department of Justice (DOJ) attorney Elizabeth D. Kurlan announced the move during a federal court hearing in the Northern District of California. The DOJ attorney elaborated that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) now plans to introduce a new policy to govern the termination of status records.

This development follows the Trump administration’s previous action of revoking visas and legal statuses of many foreign students, particularly those who participated in pro-Hamas demonstrations or had prior charges such as DUIs. While affected students may see their records reactivated, their visa revocation still appears on their record, and ICE notes it still retains the authority to terminate Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records.

“ICE still maintains the authority to terminate a SEVIS record for other reasons,” Kurlan said, adding that the reasons include situations “…such as if a student fails to maintain his or her nonimmigrant status after the record is reactivated, or engages in other unlawful activity that would render him or her removable from the United States under the Immigration and Nationality Act.”

A number of foreign students impacted by the revocations saw their statuses updated on Thursday afternoon, almost 24 hours before the DOJ announcement in federal court. However, not all foreign students were reinstated. The University of California, Berkeley, says about half of its affected students have regained their status. Other academic institutions have seen similar mixed updates.

Additionally, the prior terminations still appear on student records, which could negatively impact future immigration processes such as green card applications or requests for other visa statuses.

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April 25, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Obama-Backed U.S. Factory Caught Using Illegal Chinese Labor.

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❓What Happened: A Chinese-owned factory complex in Ohio is under investigation for illegally importing workers from China. Federal authorities have seized $126 million in assets related to this case, which involves allegations of illegal staffing and money laundering.

👥 Who’s Involved: The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio is leading the investigation. Fuyao Glass America, a company featured in a documentary, is among the entities involved. Approximately 40 entities allegedly facilitated the illegal employment.

📍 Where & When: The factories are located in the Dayton area of Ohio. The investigation began in December 2019 after law enforcement learned about the alleged activities. The asset seizures related to the money laundering investigation were announced in April 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “We will continue to investigate allegations of unfair labor practices,” said Jared Murphey, ICE HSI Detroit acting Special Agent in Charge.

⚠️ Impact: The investigation has uncovered a network of entities allegedly employing individuals who entered the U.S. illegally. The focus is on accountability for employers and the workforce, and comes amidst heightened economic tensions between the United States and China over the latter’s unfair trade practices aimed at harming American domestic industries.

IN FULL:

Federal authorities have seized $126 million in assets amid an investigation into a Chinese-owned factory complex in Ohio accused of importing workers from China illegally. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio is scrutinizing allegations that workers were smuggled into the country through Mexico to work at factories in the Dayton area.

The investigation indicates that the affected workers, primarily of Chinese and Hispanic origin, were housed in accommodation owned by their employers and transported to work by them. According to authorities, roughly 40 entities were established to facilitate the employment of these individuals who entered and stayed in the United States unlawfully or worked without necessary permits.

Fuyao Glass America—a prominent Chinese manufacturer named in the case—emerged in the spotlight due to its feature in the 2019 Netflix documentary American Factory, acquired by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions. The company, owned by Chinese industrialist Cao Dewang, employs a significant workforce on American soil, including a portion comprising Chinese immigrants.

The probe initially began in December 2019 upon the discovery of a collaboration among multiple business owners from China who moved to Ohio. They formed numerous entities to support the employment network suspected of harboring illegal workers and engaging in money laundering. The asset seizures were announced this month in relation to the money laundering investigation.

Despite being raided, Fuyao Glass America has maintained its stance as a victim, claiming cooperation with the investigation as it unfolds. In response to the allegations, Jared Murphey, acting Special Agent in Charge for ICE HSI Detroit, emphasized ongoing efforts to prevent illegal employment and workforce manipulation. “We will continue to investigate allegations of unfair labor practices,” said Murphey.

Notably, former President Joe Biden’s nomination of Nelson Cunningham as a deputy in the Office of the United States Trade Representative was derailed by a bipartisan group of senators over his lobbying work for Fuyao Glass America. Subsequently, Biden appointed Cunningham to an advisory role with the U.S. State Department.

Image by Peter Souza.

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April 25, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Illegal Immigrant Released by Biden Charged with Rape of Boy.

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❓What Happened: A Mexican migrant is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy during a game of hide-and-seek.

👥 Who’s Involved: Samuel Cobos-Carmona, the alleged perpetrator; a 13-year-old Florida boy and his eight-year-old brother; Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office.

📍 Where & When: Alleged incident occurred in Florida behind the victim’s home on April 13, reported one week later.

💬 Key Quote: “We’re going to work very hard with the State Attorney’s Office and our federal partners to make sure this individual does not see the light of day again.” — Sheriff Bill Prummell.

⚠️ Impact: Cobos-Carmona faces charges of lewd and lascivious battery; broader conversations about immigration policy and law enforcement partnerships are likely.

IN FULL:

Charlotte County, Florida, faces a grave criminal case involving an alleged sexual assault on a minor. Samuel Cobos-Carmona, a 20-year-old Mexican migrant, is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy during a game of hide-and-seek behind the victim’s home. The attack reportedly occurred on April 13 but was not immediately disclosed due to the victim’s fear.

According to the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office, Cobos-Carmona confessed to the assault after he formed a short-lived friendship with the victim and his younger sibling, aged eight. Sheriff’s deputies arrested Cobos-Carmona on Monday, charging him with lewd and lascivious battery on a victim between the ages of 12 and 16.

Sheriff Bill Prummell pledged cooperation with federal and state authorities to ensure the accused remains incarcerated. Prummell remarked, “We’re going to work very hard with the State Attorney’s Office and our federal partners to make sure this individual does not see the light of day again.” The sheriff further emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts with federal agencies to deport individuals like Cobos-Carmona.

Cobos-Carmona’s history in the United States is marked by a previous illegal entry in 2021, leading to deportation back to Mexico. However, he re-entered the U.S. the following year and avoided capture by Texas authorities before relocating to Florida. He was eventually detected, but Sheriff Prummell noted that he was released in 2024 thanks to the Biden-Harris government’s catch-and-release policies.

The case underscores issues surrounding immigration enforcement and public safety, prompting debates about federal policies and the responsibilities of agencies working at the state and local levels. Sheriff Prummell said officials helping to shelter migrants like Cobos-Carmona by implementing sanctuary policies should be “ashamed of themselves.”

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April 25, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Judge and Wife Arrested for Allegedly Sheltering Violent Illegal Immigrant Gang Members.

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❓What Happened: A former New Mexico magistrate judge and his wife were arrested after allegedly harboring members of Venezuela’s violent Tren de Aragua criminal organization.

👥 Who’s Involved: Former Magistrate Judge Joel Cano, his wife Nancy Cano, and Venezuelan illegal immigrant and Tren de Aragua member Cristhian Ortega-Lopez.

📍 Where & When: Las Cruces, New Mexico; arrests occurred late on Thursday, April 24.

💬 Key Quote: “Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) following the arrests, adding: “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”

⚠️ Impact: Both Canos are held without bond; Joel Cano has been barred from judicial office, and hearings are ongoing for the gang suspect.

IN FULL:

Former Magistrate Judge Joel Cano and his spouse, Nancy Cano, were taken into custody late Thursday in Las Cruces, New Mexico, and face charges related to allegations that the couple harbored illegal immigrant members of the violent Tren de Aragua gang. Joel Cano is being charged with evidence tampering, while his wife, Nancy, is being charged with conspiracy to tamper stemming from their relationship with a Venezuelan illegal immigrant and accused member of Tren de Aragua, Cristhian Ortega-Lopez.

Ortega-Lopez, detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) last week, is accused of possessing firearms illegally and having links to the dangerous Venezuelan criminal gang. Tren de Aragua, designated as a terrorist organization by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, is known for violent activities in Venezuela. He was found living on the Canos’ property, which triggered the law enforcement actions against the couple, including an extensive ICE raid and search on their home on Thursday.

“Under President Trump, we have arrested over 150,000 aliens—including more than 600 members of the vicious Tren de Aragua gang,” Secretary of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote in a post late Thursday on X (formerly Twitter) following the arrests, adding: “If you are here illegally and break the law, we will hunt you down, arrest you and lock you up. That’s a promise.”

Before his judgeship commenced in 2010, Joel Cano served for over two decades in the police force. However, Cano was forced to resign from the bench following ICE’s arrest of Ortega-Lopez during a search on February 28. Notably, Ortega-Lopez entered the U.S. at the infamous Eagle Pass, Texas border crossing in December of 2023 during the illegal immigration crisis under former President Joe Biden. The Biden government subsequently released the Venezuelan illegal immigrant and alleged Tren de Aragua member due to overcrowding at a detention center.

Ortega-Lopez’s online presence showed him and others with firearms in a shooting range. It is illegal in the United States for illegal immigrants to own or possess a firearm or ammunition unless the weapon is for immediate export. The Venezuelan illegal immigrant is slated for a court appearance on April 30, with federal prosecutors deeming him a flight risk.

The New Mexico Supreme Court has also permanently banned Joel Cano from holding judicial office. It remains uncertain if the Canos will face further charges related to harboring illegal immigrants or supporting a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).

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April 24, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Guatemalans Charged in Murder Case Entered U.S. Illegally, Skipped Immigration Hearing.

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❓What Happened: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed that a Guatemalan illegal, immigrant charged with murdering his girlfriend, and his uncle, arrested as an alleged accessory to the crime, entered the U.S. illegally and skipped their immigration court hearings.

👥 Who’s Involved: Keycy Robinson Alexis Barrera-Rosa, 23, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra. Rolvin Eduardo Barrera-Barrera, 37, is accused of assisting in concealing her body.

📍 Where & When: Charles County, Maryland, on April 17.

💬 Key Quote: ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins stated, “The arrest of these two individuals marks a significant step towards justice.”

⚠️ Impact: This case highlights the ongoing concern regarding public safety and illegal immigration in the community.

IN FULL:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have detained two illegal immigrants who are Guatemalan nationals in a case involving the alleged murder of a Guatemalan woman in Maryland. Keycy Robinson Alexis Barrera-Rosa, 23, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra. Authorities also arrested Barrera-Rosa’s uncle, 37-year-old Rolvin Eduardo Barrera-Barrera, as an accessory to the crime after the fact.

ICE records indicate that both Barrera-Rosa and Barrera-Barrera entered the United States illegally near El Paso, Texas, in April 2019. They were issued Notices to Appear before a Department of Justice (DOJ) immigration judge; however, neither attended the hearing.

According to Charles County, Maryland police, the body of Ramirez Guerra was discovered buried in Cedarville State Forest, following her reported disappearance in March. The arrest was made by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers, and Barrera-Rosa is currently held at the ICE Farmville Detention Center in Farmville, Virginia. Barrera-Barrera is detained without bond at the Charles County Detention Center, pending further legal process.

Vernon Liggins, the acting Field Office Director for ICE Baltimore, described the apprehension of the two suspects as a pivotal development in addressing the crime. “The arrest of these two individuals marks a significant step towards justice,” Liggins said, continuing: “This heinous crime not only devastated a community but also reinforced the urgent need to prioritize public safety by identifying, arresting, and removing egregious illegal aliens who threaten our neighborhoods.”

He added: “ICE will continue to work tirelessly, side by side with our law enforcement partners, to safeguard our communities and uphold the rule of law.”

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April 24, 2025
Immigration
News

WATCH: Nigel Farage Proposes Creation of Deportation Secretary.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Nigel Farage has urged the British government to appoint a minister focused on deportations.

👥 Who’s Involved: Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party, and Robert Jenrick, former Conservative Party leadership candidate.

📍 Where & When: Farage spoke at a press conference in Dover, England, on April 24.

💬 Key Quote: “What I’m calling for isn’t actually anything particularly radical. It’s actually just common sense,” Farage stated.

⚠️ Impact: Farage’s comments precede English local elections in May, which will be a significant test of whether Reform’s growing popularity can translate into votes.

IN FULL:

Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party, has proposed the establishment of a ministerial post dedicated to deportations within the Home Office, roughly equivalent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). “What I’m calling for isn’t actually anything particularly radical. It’s actually just common sense,” he said.

Farage delivered these statements at a press conference in Dover, England, amid ongoing local election campaigning. These elections will test Reform’s popularity and assess how it translates to voter turnout. Reform leads in some polls nationally, but it remains unclear how many seats that could translate to on May 1.

Farage also addressed the possibility of a political alliance with the formerly governing Conservatives, following former Conservative leadership contender Robert Jenrick‘s comments suggesting a united front on the right to challenge the ruling Labour Party. Farage stated unequivocally that his party’s supporters would resist any attempt to form an agreement with the Conservative Party, given its record governing from the left from 2010 to 2024 and broken promises on mass migration, which reached unprecedented heights towards the end of their final term.

Farage expressed outright distrust towards the Conservatives, positioning Reform as an alternative poised to replace them on the political right. Farage has advocated for a policy of net-zero migration, meaning that the number of immigrants should be no more than the number of people emigrating from the country.

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April 24, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Immigration
NatSec

FBI: Maduro’s Regime Aiding Infiltration of U.S. by Terrorist Group.

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❓What Happened: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) indicates that Venezuelan officials may be aiding Tren de Aragua gang members’ entry into the United States, endangering national security.

👥 Who’s Involved: Venezuelan government officials, Tren de Aragua gang, FBI, Trump administration officials, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard.

📍 Where & When: United States, potential for Venezuelan state-sanctioned violence over the next six to 18 months. Chile, Ecuador, and Peru are also affected.

💬 Key Quote: “These findings should shock Americans but not the law enforcement community,” said a Trump administration official regarding the threat posed by these gang members.

⚠️ Impact: Heightened potential for threats, kidnappings, and violence against Americans, as well as Venezuelan expatriates critical of President Nicolás Maduro.

IN FULL:

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) believes that some officials within the Venezuelan government may be facilitating the entry of members from the Tren de Aragua, a gang classified as a foreign terrorist organization, into the United States. This presents a threat to public safety and national security, especially against Venezuelan nationals located in the U.S. who are critical of President Nicolás Maduro.

The FBI assesses that, within the next six to 18 months, these gang members could be used as proxies to execute threats, abductions, and potential killings targeting Venezuelan dissidents residing in the United States. This potential influx and use of gang members coincide with Venezuela’s similar destabilization tactics in other countries in the region, including Chile, Ecuador, and Peru.

“These findings should shock Americans but not the law enforcement community,” a Trump administration source commented. “They reflect the sentiments of numerous other intelligence assessments across multiple agencies. Nicholas Maduro is a Marxist dictator who hijacked a once-prosperous Venezuela and brought in nothing but total economic collapse and gang takeover. He crumbled Caracas, now overrun with drugs and violence, and wants to do the same across the United States by sending his most violent and dangerous criminals into our communities.”

On April 18, a classified National Intelligence Council report, which supposedly found no coordination between Tren de Aragua and the Venezuelan government, was leaked, but the FBI warning suggests this is inaccurate.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard condemned the leak and warned that the leakers and their media allies had “twisted and manipulated” the report “to convey the exact opposite finding.” She vowed that officials weaponizing classified intelligence “to undermine the President’s agenda” will face “the full force of the law.”

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Migrant Crime
April 24, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Illegal Migrant Charged with Young Mother’s Murder.

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❓What Happened: A woman was found buried in a Maryland state forest, leading to the arrest of her boyfriend on murder charges.

👥 Who’s Involved: The deceased, Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra, and her boyfriend, Keycy Robinson Alexi Barrera Rosa, along with authorities and Guerra’s family.

📍 Where & When: Cedarville State Forest, Maryland; Guerra was reported missing on April 2, 2025, and found on April 17, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “She has two young children, a mother and a father… We made the notification to them, and I think there was some relief, and it was certainly very tragic and for us the same feeling of relief that we have found her, but on the other hand, it was traumatic for investigators and heartbreaking,” said Diane Richardson, Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman.

⚠️ Impact: Rosa, identified as an illegal immigrant, is charged with murder. Guerra’s two children are staying with family.

IN FULL:

An illegal alien faces charges in the death of his girlfriend following the discovery of her body in a state forest. Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra, 23, had been missing for over two weeks when authorities located her remains in Cedarville State Forest on April 17. Guerra was last seen at her residence on March 31, with boyfriend Keycy Robinson Alexi Barrera Rosa notifying police of her disappearance on April 2.

Sheriff’s officials stated that detectives uncovered Guerra’s body beneath a blanket buried five feet deep in the forest. The search effort heavily relied on digital data to zero in on the specific area. Officials from the Charles County Sheriff’s Office pressed on despite the challenging terrain, confirmed spokeswoman Diane Richardson.

Keycy Rosa, 24, Guerra’s boyfriend and the father of her children, faces charges for her murder following the discovery of the victim’s body. Rosa was previously known for possessing fraudulent identity documents, leading law enforcement to ascertain his illegal alien status through Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cooperation.

In addition to Rosa’s charges, authorities arrested his uncle, Rolvin Eduardo Bererra Bererra, 37, as an accessory. Both men are held without bond as investigations continue.

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April 23, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Data
Immigration

90% of Kamala Voters Would Bring Alleged MS-13 Trafficker Abrego Back Into America.

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❓What Happened: A new Economist/YouGov poll reveals stark divisions among Americans on whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia, recently deported to El Salvador, should be allowed back into the U.S., with 90 percent of Kamala Harris voters supporting his return—despite uncertainty about his MS-13 ties.

👥 Who’s Involved: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, alleged MS-13 member; U.S. citizens surveyed by The Economist/YouGov; 2024 voters for Harris and Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: The poll was conducted April 19–22, 2025, surveying 1,625 U.S. adults, following Abrego’s deportation.

⚠️ Impact: The poll underscores deep partisan divides on immigration policy, but widespread uncertainty about Abrego’s alleged MS-13 ties—meaning public opinion could shift if they are clearly proven.

IN FULL:

A recent Economist/YouGov poll conducted April 19–22, 2025, has exposed a sharp partisan divide over the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member recently sent back to El Salvador by the Trump administration. The survey of 1,625 U.S. adult citizens asked whether Abrego should be allowed to return to the U.S., revealing that 90 percent of Kamala Harris voters in 2024 support his return. However, a separate question on whether or not respondents believe he is a member of the notorious MS-13 gang, as the Trump administration says, reveals that a plurality of 43 percent are unsure. If they can be convinced, public sentiment may shift in favor of his deportation.

While 50 percent of Americans overall support Abrego’s return—after pollsters primed them with a description of him as having been removed “despite a court order prohibiting his deportation”—an overwhelming 90 percent of Harris voters want him back. In contrast, 59 percent of Trump voters reject his return.

Along party lines, 87 percent of Democrats favor Abrego’s return, while 54 percent of Republicans oppose it. Ideology mirrors this split, with 87 percent of liberals backing his return, compared to 61 percent of conservatives who are against it.

A second question in the poll reveals widespread uncertainty about Abrego’s alleged MS-13 membership, with 43 percent of respondents overall admitting they’re “not sure” if he’s part of the gang. This doubt is consistent across demographics: 39 percent of white people, 61 percent of black people, and 45 percent of Hispanics are unsure. Politically, 33 percent of Harris voters and 34 percent of Trump voters also express uncertainty.

Overall, only 27 percent affirmatively believe Abrego is an MS-13 member at present, while 30 percent think he is not.

Recent reports indicate Abrego was arrested in 2022 on suspicion of human trafficking, with eight passengers who all have his home address crammed into his SUV. The vehicle belonged to his “boss,” Jose Ramon Hernandez Reyes, a fellow Salvadoran illegal convicted of trafficking offenses in 2020.

Coupled with recent revelations that his wife filed for a protective order against him for alleged domestic violence, this undermines the media image of him as a blameless Maryland father with a clean criminal record. Further revelations about his alleged MS-13 and criminal ties may turn public opinion against him.

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