The legal saga involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant deported under controversial circumstances, has taken a troubling turn as court documents reveal serious allegations of domestic violence. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, obtained a temporary order of protection against him in 2021, citing incidents where she was reportedly slapped, hit with an object, and detained against her will. These claims are detailed in court records acquired by ABC News, highlighting the complexities of their relationship amidst ongoing legal battles.
In a detailed petition for protection from domestic violence, Vasquez Sura recounted a harrowing incident on May 4, 2021, where she alleged that Abrego Garcia punched her and scratched her eye, leading to bleeding. Furthermore, she described a confrontation that escalated when she expressed a need to go to a store. Vasquez Sura claimed that Abrego Garcia's reaction included yelling and ultimately ripping her clothing off. "I ran to the bathroom, and he ran behind me and grabbed me by my arm," she stated, adding, "I have marks on my left arm as well." This testimony reveals the extent of her fear and the violence she experienced.
Following these incidents, Vasquez Sura successfully obtained a temporary protective order against Abrego Garcia in May 2021, according to state court records in Maryland. This order mandated that he have no contact with her and stay away from their shared home. However, this protective order was dismissed just a month later, on June 17, 2021, when Vasquez Sura failed to appear in court, leading to a judge's signed order of dismissal.
In a statement released through her attorney, Vasquez Sura expressed her enduring support for Abrego Garcia despite the troubling incidents. "After surviving domestic violence in a previous relationship, I acted out of caution after a disagreement with Kilmar by seeking a protective order in case things escalated," she explained. "We were able to work through this situation privately as a family, including by going to counseling." She emphasized her view of Abrego Garcia as a loving partner and father, reiterating her commitment to stand by him and advocate for his justice.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's deportation to El Salvador has drawn significant attention, particularly because he was sent back to a country where he fears persecution. The Trump administration has alleged that he is associated with the criminal gang MS-13, a claim that Vasquez Sura has denied. Since his deportation on March 15, he has been held in a mega-prison in El Salvador, entering his second month of incarceration.
Adding to the complexity of this case, documents from a Maryland court in August 2018 revealed concerns raised by a man claiming to be the father of two of Vasquez Sura's children. In his emergency motion, he expressed fears for the children's safety, citing her relationship with a purported gang member and mentioning her attempts at self-harm. Although he did not name the individual he suspected to be a gang member, the initials of the children in his complaint matched those Vasquez Sura listed in the context of Abrego Garcia's case.
Recently, a federal judge ordered government officials to testify under oath regarding their lack of action to facilitate Abrego Garcia's release from custody and return to the United States. This comes after the Supreme Court had previously directed the Trump administration to ensure his release. In response to the ongoing controversy, the Department of Homeland Security shared a 2021 court record related to Abrego Garcia's protective order case, suggesting that he does not fit the portrayal of an "upstanding Maryland man" as presented in the media.
This complex legal battle continues to unfold, revealing the intricate layers of personal and legal challenges faced by both Vasquez Sura and Abrego Garcia amidst serious allegations and deportation issues.
