On April 30, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) disclosed new details regarding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, also known as the “Maryland Dad.” DHS revealed that Garcia's ex-wife filed a protection petition against him in 2020.
Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin commented on the developments saying, “The facts are clear: Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a violent illegal alien who abuses women and children. He had no business being in our country and we are proud to have deported this violent thug.” She added, “We have now found two petitions for protection against him, in addition to the fact that he entered the country illegally and is a confirmed member of MS-13. Our country is safer with him gone.”
The 2020 petition, filed on August 3 by Jennifer Vasquez in the District Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County, included accusations of verbal abuse, physical abuse, and confinement. Vasquez described incidents from November 2019 through March 2020, including being dragged from a vehicle, having her son’s tablet broken, and being pushed against a wall while Garcia allegedly broke phones and TVs.
The newly revealed petition predates another filed by Vasquez against Garcia in 2021, which cited further incidents of physical abuse. DHS had previously reported Garcia's links to human trafficking, membership in the MS-13 gang, and past domestic abuse accusations.
Assistant Secretary McLaughlin criticized the media for portraying Garcia as a victim while, as she stated, ignoring "the real victims: the women he battered, the children he terrorized, and the communities he endangered."
The petition filed in August 2020 is available for public access.
