The federal government is reportedly attempting to coerce Kilmar Abrego Garcia into accepting a guilty plea or face imminent deportation to Uganda, according to a legal filing made by his attorneys on Saturday. Garcia, a Salvadoran national, was wrongly deported in March but was subsequently returned to the United States to confront serious human smuggling charges.
After being released from criminal custody in Tennessee, Garcia was transferred back to Maryland on Friday. His legal team claims that following his refusal to accept a deal that would see him deported to Costa Rica in exchange for a guilty plea, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) warned them that he could be sent to Uganda. They were ordered to report to the ICE office in Baltimore on Monday.
On Thursday, the government proposed that if Garcia agreed to extend his stay and plead guilty to both counts of the indictment, they would guarantee his deportation to Costa Rica post-sentencing. This offer came after the government of Costa Rica informed the U.S. embassy that it would accept Garcia once he completes any criminal sentence in the U.S.
However, after Garcia declined to extend his stay and was released on Friday, his attorneys allege that the government reacted with frustration. They reported that within minutes of his release from pretrial custody, an ICE representative informed them of the intention to deport Garcia to Uganda. This drastic shift occurred just after assurances had been secured from Costa Rica regarding his acceptance.
Following Garcia's release, his legal team revealed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) instructed him to make a decision by the following Monday morning. He must accept a plea deal to facilitate his deportation to Costa Rica, or risk losing this opportunity forever. His attorneys interpret this as a clear indication that the Department of Justice (DOJ), DHS, and ICE are using their combined authority to force Garcia into a corner—choosing between a guilty plea that may offer some level of safety or facing deportation to Uganda, where his safety is in jeopardy.
The DHS has not yet provided a response to ABC News regarding the allegations made in the filing. Meanwhile, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem criticized Garcia's release, calling it a new low. She stated that it was unacceptable for a MS-13 gang member and human trafficker to be allowed freedom, labeling him a serial domestic abuser and child predator.
As the situation unfolds, Garcia's trial for human smuggling is scheduled to commence on January 27, 2027, leaving many questions unanswered about the implications of the government's actions and the future of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
