Trump officials intend to expel recently released Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to Uganda
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador's infamous CECOT mega-prison in March, has been released from a Tennessee jail on Friday. However, his freedom may be short-lived as the Trump administration plans to deport him to Uganda, according to reports.
Abrego Garcia's release came after US Magistrate Barbara Holmes in Nashville ruled in June that he has a right to be released from jail while he awaits trial. US District Judge Paula Xinis also prohibited ICE from immediately detaining him upon release in Tennessee.
However, the Trump administration has requested Abrego Garcia to appear at an immigration facility in Baltimore on Monday. If he fails to comply, he could be deported again. ICE has been ordered to provide three business days' notice if it intends to initiate removal proceedings for him.
Abrego Garcia, who grew up in El Salvador, fled at the age of 16 due to local gang extortion and terrorism. He was detained by the Trump administration on human smuggling charges, which he has denied. The smuggling case against him stems from a 2022 traffic stop for speeding.
In a surprising turn of events, Abrego Garcia was returned to the US in June after a Supreme Court order, but was subsequently detained again. The Trump administration described its violation of the immigration judge's 2019 order as an administrative error.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Bondi are the key officials of the Trump administration responsible for Abrego Garcia's potential deportation. Noem announced his preparation for deportation to Uganda after he refused a plea deal that would have sent him to Costa Rica.
Abrego Garcia's case has garnered significant attention, with many questioning the fairness of his treatment. After being released from jail, he was finally reunited with his family, whom he had not seen for over five months.
Abrego Garcia was granted protection from being deported to El Salvador by a US immigration judge, who determined he had a "well-founded fear" of gang persecution there. However, the future remains uncertain for the man who has already faced significant injustice at the hands of the US immigration system.
As he faces the possibility of being deported again, Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to the human smuggling charges against him. His case continues to be closely watched, with many hoping for a just resolution.
