Return Facilitated
The man at the center of multiple high-profile legal challenges is back in the United States and facing charges of human smuggling. Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported from Maryland to his native El Salvador in March, a move that sparked numerous legal challenges and ultimately a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court ordering the administration to “facilitate” Garcia’s return to the U.S. Garcia remains in federal custody and awaits prosecution.
Analysis and eternal perspective: This story remains one of the most divisive of the day. As we’ve discussed together previously, it pits the need for protective law enforcement against the due process rights of unsympathetic defendants. These can be nearly impossible to fully pull apart, but let’s together intentionally return to one of our core pursuits—that of giving careful consideration to all sides of a matter, consistent with Proverbs 18:17.
In this case, there are undoubtedly two ambitions worthy of defense: 1) The speedy removal of violent criminals who are illegally present in the country, and 2) The robust defense of due process rights. Even so, it is somewhat rare to find coverage of this story that amplifies both ambitions. As a result, you and I should be intentional to lift our eyes above the surface level reporting and carefully consider the long-term impact of the various proposals being advanced.
One final thought: The presence of a variety of opinions is a sign of a healthy and free society. Be encouraged by it, as it is a gift of liberty! Even so, that gift carries with it a sober obligation to carefully parse the resulting information through an eternal lens. Let’s endeavor together to guard that deliberative process. Each of us should engage it for ourself and, ultimately, should compare every idea against God’s Word as the dispositive authority on the matter.
The following article originally appeared in Thann’s “The Equipped” Weekly Newsletter. For more information on Thann’s weekly email, click here.