Illinois Governor Takes a Stand Against El Salvador Over Deported MS-13 Member
In a bold move that seems to blend state governance with international diplomacy, Illinois’ Sanctuary State Governor JB Pritzker has instructed state agencies to take measures against El Salvador aimed at influencing the release of Kilmar Garcia Abrego, an MS-13 member deported by the Trump administration.
“The United States Constitution guarantees due process,” Pritzker asserted, lamenting what he perceives as an erosion of fundamental rights under former President Trump’s administration. “The State of Illinois will uphold the Rule of Law and do everything in our power to prevent the Trump Administration from dismantling our basic rights.”
has reported in detail on the ongoing debate surrounding Garcia Abrego’s deportation and the efforts by some left-leaning politicians to facilitate his return to the U.S.
Garcia Abrego was deported due to his affiliation with MS-13, a gang designated as a foreign terrorist organization by Trump. However, in a strikingly sympathetic portrayal, Democrats and certain media outlets have dubbed him a “Maryland man” and “father of three,” arguing that his deportation was unjust, given that a judge had previously blocked his removal based on alleged safety concerns regarding his return to El Salvador.
This judicial protection was granted before his designation as a foreign terrorist, effectively nullifying any immigration relief he might have previously qualified for, according to White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. Despite being arrested in 2019 alongside other gang members, Garcia Abrego was allowed to remain in the U.S. illegally, even after being detained again in December 2022 for alleged human trafficking, only to be released at the FBI’s behest.
Adding to the complexity of this case, Garcia Abrego’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez, sought protective orders against him due to domestic violence, detailing incidents of physical abuse. Yet, this history hasn’t dissuaded certain radical Democrats from attempting to secure his release from a Salvadoran prison.
Following a recent trip by Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen to El Salvador, where he reportedly mingled with Garcia Abrego over margaritas, several House Democrats, including Reps. Robert Garcia (CA), Maxwell Frost (FL), Yassamin Ansari (AZ), and Maxine Dexter (OR), journeyed to El Salvador to advocate for his release. Their efforts, however, were swiftly rebuffed.
Bukele Trolls Far-Left Congressman Who Traveled to El Salvador to Meet with MS-13 Gang Member Kilmar Abrego Garcia
In response to this controversial case, Pritzker is now urging state agencies to boycott and divest from Salvadoran companies, cancel existing contracts, and evaluate trade relations between Illinois and El Salvador.
According to WGN TV:
Pritzker has directed the Illinois State Board of Investment, the State Universities Retirement System, and the Teachers’ Retirement System to scrutinize their investments in Salvadoran companies, aiming to withdraw investments where applicable.
He has also tasked the Illinois Department of Central Management Services with identifying state contracts linked to Salvadoran companies for potential termination.
Lastly, Pritzker wants the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Office of Trade and Investment to assess the volume of trade between Illinois and El Salvador.
This initiative coincides with Pritzker’s broader ambitions on the international stage, having recently signed trade agreements with the State of Mexico and the United Kingdom, all of which some critics speculate could be positioning him for a possible presidential bid in 2028.
