U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia on Monday at its Baltimore field office, initiating a new round of deportation proceedings. Abrego Garcia, 30, had previously been deported to El Salvador and became a focal point in former President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policies.
According to a statement posted on X by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Abrego Garcia is accused of involvement with MS-13, human trafficking, domestic abuse, and child exploitation. “President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien … to terrorize American citizens any longer,” Noem wrote.
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Abrego Garcia was released from custody in Tennessee on Friday after more than five months of detention and returned to his family’s home in Maryland. He had been ordered to check in with ICE on Monday morning and arrived at the Baltimore office accompanied by supporters, who chanted “Sí se puede.”
Prosecutors have reportedly offered Abrego Garcia a plea deal that could result in deportation to Costa Rica. Without such an agreement, he could be removed to Uganda, which his attorneys argue would place him in greater danger. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of transporting undocumented migrants and is seeking dismissal of the case, claiming the prosecution is retaliatory following his challenge of an earlier deportation order.
Secretary Noem has criticized Abrego Garcia’s release, describing him as a dangerous individual and accusing judges of being too lenient. His attorneys, however, maintain that he is being unfairly targeted by the government.
