Salvador’s illegal immigrant supporters held multiple rallies in Washington, claiming that his deportation by the Trump administration was illegal.
WASHINGTON – Protetters held multiple rallies in Washington on May 1, demanding that the Trump administration return to the United States from confinement in El Salvador.
The administration later recognized that Abrego Garcia’s removal was “administrative error,” despite deportation protections, but cited a prior removal order and law enforcement document indicating an alliance with the MS-13 gang, a US-designated terrorist organization. Abrego Garcia and his lawyer denied a gang affiliation.
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His removal sparked rage among Democrats, progressive and illegal immigrant advocates across the country.
On May 1st, supporters of Abrego Garcia’s return held multiple rallies across Washington to highlight his case.
Rebecca Henry, a retired member of Silver Springs, Maryland, holds a sign calling for Kilmer Abrego Garcia to return at Lafayette Park, Washington on May 1, 2025. Arjun Singh/The Epoch Times
“I don’t care if he’s a good guy or a bad guy. You need to have legitimate procedures,” said Rebecca Henry, a retired employee of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Silver Spring, Maryland, at the protest at Lafayette Square across from the White House. “We do not live in the Middle Ages. We live in a country where legitimate procedures are law,” Henry added, saying that the removal of Abrego Garcia violated legitimate procedures.
Henry, a US citizen, said the removal of Abrego Garcia “absolutely” fears her own rights. “As soon as you start a cave for one person, you don’t know where to stop, so you really have to hold the line with this guy,” she said.
Other protesters likewise cited concerns about the due process.
“He represents a significant portion of our population. … He represents a part of our community and there has been a way (removal) that (shown) what the current administration does to violate the law.” Fasick was one of many holding signs with the name Abrego Garcia during the evening protest at Freedom Plaza, adjacent to the White House complex.
Virginia resident Bob Fassick supports Kilmer Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States on May 1, 2025, at a protest at Freedom Plaza in Washington. Arjun Singh/The Epoch Times
Douglas Vaughan, a Quaker man from Maryland, held signs of immigration in the same protest.
He said that the removal of Abrego Garcia “had a calm effect on the immigrant community.”
At a rally at Lafayette Square, Abrego Garcia’s wife Vasquez Sula accused him of illegally deporting him in a speech to the crowd.
“My husband was illegally detained, accused, disappeared… because of an error, he disappeared without justified proceedings,” Vazquez Sula said.
“This pain cannot be expressed in words. …I am standing here today for not only Kilmer, but for all the families affected.”
On May 1, Washington protesters held signs calling for legitimate proceedings. Arjun Singh/The Epoch Times
Protesters believe their defense will help secure the release of Abrego Garcia by generating press coverage.
“If Trump picks up the phone and says, ‘Hey, you have to let him go. I’m going to fall too many,” he’ll be freed,” said Abrego Garcia’s Fassic. “That’s what we’re trying to do in a nutshell.”
“When we go out on the street, it makes a huge difference. I think they’re paying attention,” Henry said.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
