Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker moves to boycott El Salvador for aiding Trump over Kilmar Abrego Garcia's detention
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker ordered the state to review any investments and business with El Salvador, a move that could lead to a boycott over the Central American nation's assistance with the Trump administration in the deportation of criminal illegal migrants.
In a statement, the Democratic governor said the move was in response to the administration's defiance of court orders and the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a suspected MS-13 gang member with connections to human trafficking, who is being detained in El Salvador.
"The United States Constitution guarantees due process. We are witnessing Donald Trump erode our fundamental Constitutional rights in real time, and we must fight to restore the balance of power," Pritzker said in a statement. "The State of Illinois will stand up for the Rule of Law and do everything in our power (to) stop the Trump Administration from ripping apart our most basic rights."
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment.
Pritzker said he was requesting the Illinois State Board of Investment, the State Universities Retirement System and the Teachers' Retirement System to "identify any fund investments" that are wholly or partially managed, owned or controlled by the Salvadoran government or have ties to businesses in El Salvador.
He also directed the Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) to identify any state contracts awarded to companies with ties to the Latin American country.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Office of Trade and Investment has also been ordered to analyze trade between Illinois and El Salvador, including the scale and nature of imports and the extent to which goods produced in El Salvador are in the supply chain of products manufactured in Illinois.
Pritzker's order came as at least five Democrats have traveled to El Salvador with the intention of meeting with Abrego Garcia. Four of them were denied a meeting by the Salvadoran government.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., met with him amid the legal battle over his return.
The Trump administration previously admitted to mistakenly deporting Abrego Garcia, an illegal immigrant with alleged ties to MS-13 who was living in Maryland, but has since said it would not help bring him home.
The Supreme Court has ordered the administration to "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's return to the U.S. However, it said El Salvador is responsible for his return.
Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele has said he will not return him. Democrats contend Abrego Garcia was deprived of due process, which the Trump administration denies.
The Justice Department unveiled documents last week detailing domestic violence allegations that Abrego Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez, included in a court filing in 2021. She alleged that her husband beat her and that she had documentation of the bruises he left on her.
Additionally, a 2022 Homeland Security Investigations report obtained by Fox News claims that Abrego Garcia was suspected of partaking in labor and human trafficking. The report said a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper pulled Abrego Garcia over in 2022 after swerving. The patrol officer found eight other individuals in the car with Abrego Garcia, who had just begun driving three days prior.
Department of Homeland Security sources confirmed to Fox News Digital that the SUV Abrego Garcia was driving belonged to a confessed human smuggler.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US and China ‘back to square one' after two days of trade talks
Talks between the US and China are 'back to square one' after two days of trade negotiations in London failed to secure a major deal. Howard Lutnick, Donald Trump's commerce secretary, said the two sides had agreed on a 'framework' to put their trading relations back on track and repair the truce initially agreed in Geneva last month. There was little market reaction to the announcement at Lancaster House shortly after midnight, with the dollar strengthening a little and stock markets opening marginally higher. The two sides have until Aug 10 to negotiate a more comprehensive agreement to ease trade tensions, or US tariffs on China will snap back from about 30pc to 145pc, with China's levies on America increasing from 10pc to 125pc. Josh Lipsky, of the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center in Washington, said: 'They are back to square one but that's much better than square zero.' Jim Reid, a Deutsche Bank analyst, added: 'While the mood music has stayed positive, investors may be wary of the pattern that emerged during the previous US-China trade talks in 2018-19, when apparently constructive in-person meetings seemed to take a step back as the negotiating teams returned to their capitals. 'So there's perhaps a little disappointment this morning that we haven't yet got a bigger announcement, even though there's time to hear the full conclusions of the meeting.' Senior officials from Washington and Beijing had gathered in London after accusations from both sides that they had violated the terms of the deal made in Switzerland. Mr Trump and Xi Jinping held a call last week that Mr Lutnick said 'gave the fundamental foundation on which we were able to reach agreement'. Mr Lutnick said: 'We have reached a framework to implement the Geneva consensus and the call between the two presidents. 'The idea is we're going to go back and speak to President Trump and make sure he approves it. 'They're going to go back and speak to President Xi and make sure he approves it, and if that is approved, we will then implement the framework.' In a separate briefing, Li Chenggang, China's vice commerce minister, said a trade framework had been reached in principle that would be taken back to US and Chinese leaders. Mr Lutnick said China's restrictions on exports of rare earth minerals and magnets to the US would be resolved as a 'fundamental' part of the framework agreement. He also said the agreement would remove some of the recent US export restrictions, but did not provide details. Kathleen Brooks, the research director at XTB, a trading platform, said: 'Overall, the US-China trade agreement is taking its time, and it could test the market's patience.' Meanwhile, the European Union reportedly believes it could extend its trade negotiations with the US beyond the initial deadline next month. The EU thinks there could be scope for further talks if it agrees a deal in principle by July 9, which is considered its best-case scenario, according to Bloomberg. The Trump administration is scheduled to enforce 50pc tariffs on EU goods beyond that date unless a deal is reached. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Business Upturn
11 minutes ago
- Business Upturn
Donald Trump confirms US-China deal done, says rare earth deal and 55% tariffs finalised
Donald Trump touts 55% tariffs and rare earth supply in pending China deal By News Desk Published on June 11, 2025, 17:56 IST Last updated June 11, 2025, 17:57 IST Former U.S. President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday announced via social media that a new deal with China has been reached, pending final approval from both himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping. According to Trump, the agreement includes upfront Chinese supply of 'full magnets' and 'any necessary rare earths' to the U.S. In return, the U.S. will uphold previously agreed terms, which Trump said include allowing Chinese students to continue studying at American colleges and universities — a relationship he described as 'always been good with me!' Trump emphasized that under the new deal, the U.S. will receive a combined total of 55% in tariffs, while China will get 10%. 'Relationship is excellent!' Trump declared in the post, adding thanks for attention to the matter. The post, shared on June 11, 2025, at 8:04 AM, comes amid ongoing geopolitical and trade tensions between the world's two largest economies. No official confirmation has yet been released by Chinese authorities or the U.S. State Department. News desk at
Business Upturn
11 minutes ago
- Business Upturn
U.S. President Trump says he has no hard feelings for Musk, leaves door open for reconciliation
By Aditya Bhagchandani Published on June 11, 2025, 17:40 IST U.S. President Donald Trump has downplayed recent tensions with Elon Musk, saying he holds 'no hard feelings' despite their very public feud over the past week. His comments come shortly after Musk posted on X, formerly Twitter, that he 'regrets some of [his] posts' about Trump, admitting, 'They went too far.' In an interview addressing the ongoing spat, Trump said he was surprised by Musk's criticism of the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' which the President described as 'phenomenal' and 'the best thing we signed in the country.' 'When he did that, I was not a happy camper,' Trump said, adding, 'I don't know what his problem is… I haven't thought too much about him in the last little while.' Despite the fallout, Trump appeared to extend an olive branch, stating, 'I think he feels very badly he said [those things]… I was disappointed in him, but it is what happens. I don't blame him for anything.' When asked about the possibility of reconciling with Musk, Trump replied, 'I guess I could, but we have to straighten out the country.' This marks a potential cooling in tensions that had escalated sharply in recent days. Musk had accused Trump of suppressing the Epstein files and labeled the tax proposal a 'pork-filled abomination,' prompting Trump to suggest pulling federal contracts from Musk-led ventures. Musk responded by threatening to halt NASA-related SpaceX missions and hinted that Trump owed his 2024 victory to Musk's influence. As of now, no direct meeting has taken place, but Musk's heart emoji response to Trump's earlier 'wish him well' remark has kept speculation alive about an eventual reconciliation between the two powerhouses. Aditya Bhagchandani serves as the Senior Editor and Writer at Business Upturn, where he leads coverage across the Business, Finance, Corporate, and Stock Market segments. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to journalistic integrity, he not only contributes insightful articles but also oversees editorial direction for the reporting team.
