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After Abrego Garcia’s Deportation, a Maryland Pastor Regrets Supporting Trump

The New York Times's profile
Original Story by The New York Times
June 12, 2025
After Abrego Garcia’s Deportation, a Maryland Pastor Regrets Supporting Trump

Context:

Pastor Heber D. Paredes, who once supported Trump's policies, regrets his decision after witnessing the deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a local immigrant from his Maryland community. The deportation of Mr. Abrego Garcia, a longtime resident and sheet metal worker, without due process, has become a symbol of the harsh immigration policies affecting Latino communities. As Mr. Abrego Garcia's legal battle unfolds, cracks in Trump's Latino support are beginning to show, with some Latino Republican legislators criticizing the administration's methods. Latino residents in Prince George’s County, where the Salvadoran immigrant population is significant, express feelings of fear and scrutiny regardless of their status. Despite some support for Trump's deportation efforts, there is growing disapproval within the Latino community, as many see the policies as unjust and harmful to their families and communities.

Dive Deeper:

  • Pastor Heber D. Paredes, who once proudly supported President Trump and his immigration policies, now feels regret and concern over the deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a member of his congregation in Maryland.

  • Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a sheet metal worker and longtime U.S. resident, was deported without apparent due process by the Trump administration, sparking outrage and fear among the Latino community in Prince George’s County.

  • The deportation and subsequent legal battle of Mr. Abrego Garcia have become a focal point for criticism against Trump's immigration policies, particularly as they affect Latino families with deep ties to their communities.

  • Cracks in Trump's Latino support are emerging, with some Latino Republican legislators and community members openly criticizing the administration's arbitrary and inhumane methods of arresting and deporting immigrants.

  • In Prince George’s County, where Latino immigrants make up a significant portion of the population, residents express fear and uncertainty about their future, feeling targeted by the administration's stringent immigration enforcement.

  • Despite voices within the Latino community supporting the idea of strong immigration enforcement, there is a notable disapproval of the methods used, as many believe they lead to unjust and unnecessary suffering.

  • The case of Mr. Abrego Garcia has become a symbol of the broader impact of Trump's immigration policies on Latino families, highlighting the challenges and emotional toll faced by those caught in the crosshairs of deportation efforts.

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