Democrat Rep. Cuellar Calls Out His Own Party for Defending Deported MS-13 Suspect

Rep. Henry Cuellar is making waves within his own party, openly criticizing fellow Democrats for championing the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old illegal immigrant the Trump administration claims is connected to the notorious MS-13 gang. Cuellar, a Democrat from Texas, argues that this is the wrong case for Democrats to hang their hats on when it comes to due process and immigration reform.

"This is not the right issue to talk about due process. This is not the right case. This is not the right person to be saying that we need to bring him back to the United States," Cuellar said during an interview. He believes picking this fight only hurts the party's credibility with voters, especially given the serious allegations involved.

Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador in March. The Trump administration alleges he has violent gang ties and even referenced court documents tied to a protective order filed by his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura. She recently clarified that the order was a precaution after a disagreement, and that the couple has since resolved their issues through counseling.

Despite these personal developments, some Democrats insist Abrego Garcia was denied due process and are demanding his return. Several lawmakers have even traveled to El Salvador, asking for daily proof of life for Garcia—because apparently, congressional field trips are the new normal.

Cuellar isn't buying it. He said, "Democrats should not take this issue. When you look at immigration, is this the immigration case you want to take to fight on? In my opinion, absolutely no." His take is that making Garcia the poster child for immigration reform is a strategic blunder.

Abrego Garcia crossed into the U.S. illegally and tried to secure legal protection while living in Maryland. His deportation was described by some as an administrative error, but Trump officials stand by their decision, citing the MS-13 allegations.

Cuellar, whose district in South Texas is heavily Latino, said his constituents are frustrated by what they see as an inconsistent immigration system. He points out that many in his community feel they followed the rules, while others seem to bypass the process entirely. "That’s something wrong," he said.

In a move sure to raise eyebrows, Cuellar even voiced support for some Trump-era border security policies, calling previous claims of a "secure border" laughable. He questioned why the U.S. would allow unknown individuals to enter and then wait years for their immigration hearings, labeling it "absolutely wrong."

While Cuellar stopped short of criticizing other Democrats directly, he did question the overall strategy, suggesting that some Trump administration tactics are having an impact. He also noted that President Trump had managed to get Mexico more involved in border control, joking that having Mexico play defense on their own 20-yard line is a lot better than waiting until the U.S. border is overrun.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to face legal battles over its immigration policies. The Supreme Court is set to take up a case in May concerning an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship for children of illegal immigrants.