Deportation Looms for Abrego Garcia Amid Legal Battles

The U.S. government intends to initiate deportation proceedings against Kilmar Abrego Garcia if he is released from jail before his trial on human smuggling charges in Tennessee. This was revealed by a Justice Department attorney during a federal court hearing in Maryland.

This statement contradicts previous statements made by spokespeople for the Justice Department and the White House. They had previously indicated that Abrego Garcia would stand trial and potentially serve time in an American prison before any deportation proceedings.

The revelation was made during a hearing where Abrego Garcia's American wife is suing the Trump administration over his mistaken deportation in March. She is attempting to prevent his expulsion again. The attorney stated that U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement would detain Abrego Garcia upon his release and send him to a "third country" other than his native El Salvador, though the specific country was unknown.

The judge presiding over the case expressed difficulty in determining Abrego Garcia's future, describing it as a complex situation. A hearing was scheduled to clarify the government's next steps if he is released.

Abrego Garcia's case has become a point of contention regarding President Trump's immigration policies. He was deported to El Salvador in March, despite never being charged with a crime and repeatedly denying allegations of gang affiliation.

The deportation violated a previous court order that protected him from being sent back to his home country. This order was based on the judge's determination that he faced potential persecution. Facing pressure, the Trump administration returned Abrego Garcia to the U.S. last month to face human smuggling charges stemming from a 2022 traffic stop.

Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty. His lawyers have accused government witnesses of cooperating for favors and have also accused the Trump administration of attempting to convict him in the court of public opinion before he can defend himself.

A federal judge in Nashville was prepared to release Abrego Garcia, but agreed to keep him in custody at the request of his attorneys, who were concerned about immediate deportation.

Abrego Garcia's attorneys have cited conflicting statements from the Trump administration. They are requesting that he be brought to Maryland upon his release to prevent his deportation before trial. The judge is considering this request. The judge denied the Trump administration's motion to dismiss the lawsuit over Abrego Garcia's mistaken deportation, stating that the controversy is not over simply because he has been returned to the U.S.