Texas Rep. Henry Cuellar (D) is breaking ranks with fellow Democrats over their defense of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant deported to El Salvador whom the Trump administration argues is affiliated with MS-13.
During an interview with Fox News Radio’s "The Brian Kilmeade Show," Rep. Cuellar warned that using Abrego Garcia as a symbol of immigration advocacy damages the Democratic Party’s credibility.
“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," Rep. Cuellar commented. "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."
Abrego Garcia was deported in March after efforts to obtain protected status while living in Maryland. While some Democrats argue he was denied due process, government officials maintain his removal was justified, citing alleged gang affiliations and a protective order obtained by his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura.
His wife later clarified that the protective order was sought “out of caution” following a disagreement and that the couple had since resolved their issues privately.
Rep. Cuellar, who represents a predominantly Latino district along the U.S.-Mexico border, emphasized growing frustration among constituents over perceived inconsistencies in immigration policy.
“People were saying, ‘Our parents came in the legal way...They came in and did it the right way.’ But when you see people jumping in, not knowing who they are—that’s something wrong,” he said.
The Texas Democrat also criticized past Democratic claims that the border was secure, calling them “laughable,” and he expressed support for certain border security policies from President Donald Trump (R).
“Why are we going to let people in when you have no idea who these people are, and then let them roam the streets of the United States while you wait four or five years for an immigration court hearing?” he questioned.
