In a contentious legal battle, the US government has declared that Kilmar Ábrego García, who was mistakenly deported and later brought back facing criminal charges, will not be allowed to walk free despite a judge's order for his release while awaiting trial.
US Government Vows Kilmar Ábrego García Will Remain Detained Despite Judge's Release Order
US Government Vows Kilmar Ábrego García Will Remain Detained Despite Judge's Release Order
Federal officials assert that Kilmar Ábrego García, facing charges of human smuggling after a controversial deportation, will not be freed after a judge's ruling.
The Trump administration has firmly stated that Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported and subsequently returned to face criminal charges, will "never go free" on American soil, despite a judge's recent order permitting his release. Mr. Ábrego García was deported in March as part of a stricter immigration policy and was described by government officials as having been removed in error. After an extended legal ordeal, he found himself back in the U.S. in Tennessee, where he was charged with human smuggling.
On Sunday, Judge Barbara Holmes ruled that Mr. Ábrego García could be released from custody while awaiting trial, though she acknowledged that immigration authorities would still hold the power to detain him. "Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a dangerous criminal illegal alien," said Tricia McLaughlin, spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, in a strong statement issued through social media. The rhetoric underscores the government's stance that Mr. Ábrego García poses a significant threat.
The judge's opinion emphasized that the government had not sufficiently substantiated claims that he posed a risk to minors or was a flight risk. She indicated that once released by the Justice Department, immigration officials would likely seek to detain him again in hopes of effectuating his removal from the U.S.
In June, federal prosecutors had charged Mr. Ábrego García with involvement in a trafficking conspiracy, alleging involvement in transporting undocumented migrants across state lines—a charge he has denied. These allegations date back to 2016, when he was accused of facilitating the movement of undocumented individuals between Texas and other states, including Maryland, on over 100 occasions.
Furthermore, government claims also suggested Mr. Ábrego García's association with the notorious MS-13 gang, allegations that he and his legal team have staunchly rejected. His initial deportation stemmed from a controversial application of the Alien Enemies Act by the Trump administration, which allowed the removal of individuals from nations deemed hostile, leading to his use of the El Salvador mega-prison known for harsh conditions.
After being taken there due to what officials initially classified as an "administrative error," subsequent legal battles ensued, culminating with a Supreme Court order mandating his return to the U.S. Mr. Ábrego García's immigration history is marked by a perilous entry into the U.S. as a teenager, attempting to escape potential gang-related persecution in El Salvador.
