A recent article published by The Atlantic has come under scrutiny for omitting critical facts in a story intended to highlight the impact of President Donald Trump’s deportation policy.
Very important fact that Yoni leaves out (and I can’t imagine why!)
An Immigration judge found that Garcia was an MS-13 member, a flight risk, and a threat to the community SIX YEARS AGO https://t.co/fB9uv60fL4
— John Hasson (@SonofHas) April 1, 2025
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The report focused on the removal of a man identified as Jose Abrego Garcia, portraying him as a family man torn from his wife and disabled child in what was framed as a harsh immigration enforcement action.
However, further details in court documents and statements from the administration reveal that Abrego Garcia is alleged to be an active member of MS-13, the Salvadoran gang that the Trump administration has designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
According to court filings, Abrego Garcia entered the United States in 2011 at the age of 16 after fleeing gang threats in El Salvador.
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In 2019, he was granted a form of temporary relief known as “withholding of removal” by a U.S. immigration judge who determined that he would likely be targeted by gangs if returned to his home country.
The Atlantic: Trump deported a poor father from Maryland to an El Salvador prison!
Reality: He was an MS-13 gang member
You don’t hate the media enough https://t.co/mk3OObqyJb pic.twitter.com/9JPJLBOk2D
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) April 1, 2025
Despite this, the Trump administration later cited him as a “danger to the community,” linking him to MS-13 activity.
Abrego Garcia’s attorney claims he has no criminal record in the United States.
While the administration has not presented a criminal conviction, it maintains that his ties to the violent transnational gang warrant removal under new enforcement priorities.
MEDIA TRIES TO SAY THERE WAS AN ERROR ON DEPORTATION: “IT WAS A CLERICAL ERROR”@PressSec @KarolineLeavitt lays out the actual FACTS, not letting the media run with trying to create a fake story. pic.twitter.com/VR5pPIlK7Z
— Real America’s Voice (RAV) (@RealAmVoice) April 1, 2025
The story is one of several recent deportation-related cases that have received media attention, only to later be found connected to individuals with alleged gang affiliations.
In separate incidents, two individuals previously highlighted in sympathetic news stories—one described as a Venezuelan soccer player and another as a gay barber—were later identified by U.S. authorities as members of Tren de Aragua, another foreign gang designated as a terrorist organization.
Jerce Reyes Barrios was not only in the United States illegally, but he has tattoos that are consistent with those indicating TdA gang membership. His own social media indicates he is a member of the vicious TdA gang.
That all said, DHS intelligence assessments go beyond a… https://t.co/xFe48KzAYg
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) March 20, 2025
No. DHS intelligence assessments go well beyond just gang affiliate tattoos.
This man’s own social media indicates he is a member of Tren de Aragua. https://t.co/UdVemUhAfq
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) March 24, 2025
The Atlantic article is being viewed by critics as another instance of legacy media attempting to discredit the administration’s ongoing deportation campaign, which has ramped up significantly since Trump returned to the White House in January.
The administration has emphasized the removal of individuals considered threats to public safety, including those affiliated with MS-13 and Tren de Aragua.
President Trump’s immigration agenda has included a crackdown on illegal immigration, the expansion of expedited removals, and the revival of tools such as the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to fast-track the deportation of suspected gang members from countries deemed hostile or unstable.
Deportation flights have increased, and agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have reported reaching full detention capacity.
While media reports have attempted to draw public sympathy by focusing on personal and family circumstances, federal immigration authorities maintain that national security and public safety remain the administration’s primary priorities.
The Atlantic was also involved in a separate incident earlier this year when editor Jeffrey Goldberg was mistakenly added to a group Signal chat involving Trump officials discussing classified anti-Houthi operations.
Goldberg later claimed sensitive information had been disclosed, though officials denied the claims, and no action was taken as a result.
The Trump administration has not commented publicly on the latest report involving Abrego Garcia, but officials have stated broadly that removals will continue regardless of whether individuals have a criminal conviction, so long as they are in the country illegally and pose a risk based on intelligence or gang affiliations.
The Department of Homeland Security has reiterated that gang membership and associations remain grounds for removal under federal immigration law, even in the absence of a formal conviction.
ICE and DHS sources have indicated that deportations will continue at an aggressive pace as part of the broader national security mandate laid out by President Trump.
As public support for stricter immigration enforcement remains strong in many parts of the country, administration officials have expressed confidence that the policy direction will hold firm despite media pushback.
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