A video released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) showing Kilmar Abrego Garcia being led through an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office in handcuffs has circulated widely online. The Salvadoran national, who entered the United States illegally, had previously criticized the Salvadoran government, according to reports.
Abrego Garcia was released last week from a Tennessee jail while awaiting trial on charges related to human smuggling. The U.S. government has identified him as an alleged member of the MS-13 criminal gang, though he denies the gang affiliation.
DHS shared the video with a statement noting that Abrego Garcia was not legally authorized to remain in the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said, “Today, ICE law enforcement arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia and are processing him for deportation.”
She emphasized that “President Trump is not going to allow this illegal alien, who is an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator, to terrorize American citizens any longer.”
She added that he would not be allowed to remain in the country while facing allegations of criminal activity.
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Abrego Garcia’s legal team has filed a lawsuit seeking an order to prevent his deportation until he has had an opportunity to contest it.
His arrest follows a previous deportation to El Salvador in June. He was subsequently returned to the U.S. to face charges related to transporting migrants who were living in the country illegally, charges he denies.
