Kristi Noem Refuses Confirm Doctored Photo Claims Amid Deportation Dispute

During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell confronted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about a widely circulated photo of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a wrongfully deported Salvadoran father, which had the letters 'MS-13' digitally added above his knuckle tattoos to falsely suggest gang affiliation. Noem repeatedly refused to acknowledge whether the image was doctored, despite Swalwell's direct questioning and presentation of enlarged versions of the photo. The Trump administration has used this doctored photo to justify not returning Abrego Garcia to the U.S. despite court orders, even though the Justice Department admitted his deportation violated a court order and there is no direct evidence linking him to MS-13. Abrego Garcia was deported despite previously being found to have a credible fear of persecution from a rival gang, Barrio 18, and has consistently denied MS-13 affiliation. Noem defended the deportation as based on an "entire case" and accused Abrego Garcia of being a criminal, while police have stated they never determined him to be a gang member. The case highlights broader issues around U.S. immigration enforcement actions, use of doctored evidence, and treatment of detainees in foreign prisons under agreements with El Salvador.