In 2021, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a Maryland resident recently deported to El Salvador—filed a civil protective order alleging domestic violence. She accused Abrego Garcia of physically assaulting her during a dispute, including hitting, scratching, and tearing her blouse, which resulted in bruises. The court granted a temporary restraining order, requiring Abrego Garcia to vacate their home, surrender any firearms, and cease all contact with Vasquez Sura.Midland Daily News+2Axios+2The Guardian+2
However, Vasquez Sura later clarified that the protective order stemmed from a singular incident during a stressful period in their marriage. She emphasized that the situation did not reflect a pattern of abuse and that they subsequently reconciled through counseling. In a public statement, she expressed concern that the Trump administration was misrepresenting the incident to portray her husband as violent and dangerous. She stated, “The order was taken during a minor marital dispute and later dropped as we reconciled through counseling.” AxiosThe Guardian
Abrego Garcia’s deportation has drawn significant attention, especially given that he had been granted protection from removal by an immigration judge in 2019 due to credible fears of persecution by gangs in El Salvador. Despite this, he was deported in March 2025, an action ICE later acknowledged as an “administrative error.” WEAA+3AP News+3Midland Daily News+3WEAA+6https://www.ktiv.com+6Midland Daily News+6
The administration has cited the 2021 protective order and unverified allegations of gang affiliation to justify his continued detention in El Salvador’s high-security prison, CECOT. Vasquez Sura disputes these claims, asserting that her husband has no ties to gangs and is a devoted family man. She has been vocal in advocating for his return, highlighting the impact of his absence on their family, particularly their children.AP News+4https://www.ktiv.com+4https://www.kjct8.com+4Midland Daily News+3The Guardian+3Axios+3
Legal experts and human rights advocates have criticized the administration’s handling of Abrego Garcia’s case, arguing that it reflects broader issues within the immigration enforcement system, including the misuse of personal history to circumvent legal protections. The case continues to unfold amid ongoing legal battles and public scrutiny.
