Case background
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident originally from El Salvador, may soon face another detention by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His attorney reported that after being released from criminal custody in Tennessee last Friday while awaiting a federal trial, immigration officials ordered him to appear at a detention center in Baltimore on Monday.
Current situation
According to his legal team, Abrego Garcia is currently under electronic monitoring with a GPS ankle bracelet placed by the U.S. Marshals Service. Despite this measure, his lawyer indicated that ICE intends to place him in custody again to pursue deportation proceedings.
Deportation concerns
The case has raised questions after his attorneys were informed that officials plan to deport him to Uganda. Earlier, he was offered a deal to accept deportation to Costa Rica in exchange for pleading guilty to smuggling charges and serving additional jail time, which he rejected.
His defense argues that deportation to Uganda is being used as a pressure tactic to secure a guilty plea. They also express concern that Uganda could serve as a stopover before ultimately returning him to El Salvador, where he had previously been deported under disputed circumstances.
Family impact
Over the weekend, Abrego Garcia was able to reunite briefly with his family in Maryland after arriving early Saturday morning. His lawyer noted that although this meeting brought him joy, it may be short-lived due to the upcoming immigration appointment.
