DOJ Docs Claim Kilmar Abrego Garcia's MS-13 Street Name Was 'Chele' As It Stands By His Deportation

The Department of Justice has released new information on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, to support its claim that he is a member of MS-13 and he should stay in the country's CECOT mega-prison.

The 13-page document claims he had a street name, "Chele," and his rank was "chequeo," even though it did not clarify what the term entails. It added that he was seen socializing with confirmed MS-13 members in a parking lot in Maryland in 2019, and that a reliable source told police that he is an active member of the gang's Western cliques.

Describing the 2019 incident, officers said they apprehended a group of people after seeing them discarding "several unknown items under a parked vehicle." Police also found "two small plastic bottles containing marijuana."

Discussing the interview with Abrego Garcia, officers noticed his clothing: "He was wearing a Chicago Bulls hat and a hoodie with rolls of money covering the eyes, ears and mouth of the presidents on the separate denominations." "Officers know such clothing to be indicative of the Hispanic gang culture," the document added.

"The meaning of the clothing is to represent 'ver, oir y callar,' or 'see no evil, hear no evil and say no evil.' Wearing the Chicago Bulls hat represents that they are a member in good standing with the MS-13." However, Abrego Garcia has not been convicted of any gang-related offenses, and both the U.S. courts and Salvadoran authorities have found no solid evidence linking him to MS-13.

The case of Abrego Garcia is dominating headlines as a result of the Trump administration's reluctance to comply with the Supreme Court ruling requiring it take steps to bring him back, as well as the visit by Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele to the White House on Monday.

Speaking to press, Bukele said he has no intention nor the authority to return Abrego Garcia, deported despite a 2019 court order barring his removal to El Salvador, country he fled in 2011. "How can El Salvador return him to the United States? By smuggling him? Of course we're not going to do that. I don't have the authority to return him," Bukele, a Trump ally, said.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) traveled to El Salvador on Wednesday to help secure the release of Abrego Garcia, but claimed the country's vice president told him the Trump administration is financially compensating the country to continue detaining Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia at CECOT.

The senator also requested to see or speak with Garcia but was told no such visit could be arranged without advanced approval and coordination with the U.S. Embassy. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice has said that even if Garcia were to return, he would be detained again and deported.