PolitiFact | JD Vance falsely says Maryland man deported to El Salvador was ‘a convicted MS-13 gang member’

Key Claim

Vice President JD Vance claimed that Kilmar Armado Abrego-Garcia, a Maryland man deported to El Salvador, was a convicted MS-13 gang member.

PolitiFact's Investigation

PolitiFact investigated Vance's claim and found it to be false. Abrego-Garcia has never been convicted of any crime in the U.S. While immigration courts denied him bond based on allegations of gang membership, these denials did not constitute a criminal conviction.

• Court records and legal experts confirm Abrego-Garcia has no criminal convictions.
• Bond denials were based on allegations of gang membership, not criminal convictions.
• Legal experts emphasize the difference between immigration and criminal law, noting deportation can occur without a criminal conviction.

Conclusion

PolitiFact rates Vance's statement as False. The evidence indicates Abrego-Garcia was never convicted of a crime, despite allegations of gang membership used in immigration proceedings to deny him bond.