DHS Criticizes Kilmar Abrego Garcia Over ‘Himno de Victoria’

New Delhi, December 30, 2025: A fresh wave of political tension has been witnessed between the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man who has become a symbol of the nation’s contentious immigration debate. On December 27, 2025, a viral video was shared by Garcia on TikTok, showing him lip-syncing to the Spanish Christian hymn “Himno de Victoria” (Hymn of Victory) by Danny Berrios. The clip, which portrays Garcia in a moment of spiritual reflection and freedom, has triggered a sharp public response from senior federal officials who claim that the legal system is being mocked.

DHS Blasts ‘Activist’ Gag Order

A public rebuke was issued by DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin on Saturday, expressing the department’s frustration with a court-imposed silence. McLaughlin was heard stating that while federal agents are bound by a “gag order from an activist judge,” Garcia is being allowed to use his platform to reach millions through viral content. The official argued that American justice is compromised when law enforcement is silenced while those opposing the legal system are granted a “megaphone.” The gag order was originally placed by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis to ensure a fair trial for Garcia, following his claims of character assassination by the government.

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A Year of High-Stakes Legal Battles

The viral video is the latest chapter in a saga that began in March 2025, when Garcia was mistakenly deported to a maximum-security prison in El Salvador—an act later described by the government as an “administrative error.” After the U.S. Supreme Court intervened, his return to the United States was facilitated in June, only for him to be immediately charged with human smuggling and accused of MS-13 gang ties. These allegations have been vehemently denied by Garcia and his legal team, who point out that he has no criminal record in the U.S. and has lived in Maryland for years with his American wife and children.

Victory Hymn or Defiant Statement?

The choice of song in the viral video has been observed as deeply symbolic by both supporters and critics. “Himno de Victoria” is a popular worship song centered on faith and overcoming immense obstacles, with lyrics referencing the biblical story of Pharaoh and the Red Sea. While Garcia’s supporters see the video as a testament to his resilience after months of “illegal detention,” critics within the administration view it as a defiant display from a man they consider a public safety threat. The video was notably amplified by conservative commentators who labeled Garcia a “terrorist,” further fueling the online firestorm.

Uncertain Future Amid Judicial Scrutiny

As the year 2025 draws to a close, Garcia remains free under a temporary restraining order that prevents ICE from re-detaining him without a final removal order. During a court hearing on December 22, Judge Xinis expressed her “impatience” with the government’s handling of the case, questioning why the administration had attempted to deport Garcia to countries like Uganda and Liberia rather than the country he agreed to—Costa Rica. The “Himno de Victoria” controversy has ensured that as the world enters 2026, the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains at the heart of the national battle over due process and immigration reform.