Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native who was wrongly deported in March, has finally been released from criminal custody in Tennessee. Following his return to the U.S. in June to face serious human smuggling charges, Garcia's attorney shared the news with ABC News that he is now en route to Maryland to reunite with his family.
Since his return to the U.S., Garcia has been held in custody, but a recent ruling by a federal judge has brought some hope. The judge ordered that immigration authorities are prohibited from detaining Garcia upon his release in Tennessee. This ruling was a significant step in preventing further separation from his family and ensuring his rights are upheld. Garcia's lawyers have engaged a private security company for his safe travel to Maryland.
For the first time since March, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is reunited with his loving family. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, an attorney representing him, expressed a mix of relief and concern, noting that while Garcia's release is a step forward, he is "far from safe." The threat of ICE detention or deportation to an unknown third country looms over his family, highlighting the precarious nature of his situation. The attorney emphasized the need for the government to cease actions that could once again tear this family apart.
As part of his release, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes outlined specific conditions that Garcia must follow. He is required to travel directly to Maryland and report by phone to Pretrial Services for the District of Maryland by 10:00 a.m. on Monday. Additionally, Garcia must adhere to several conditions, including:
Submitting to supervision by Pretrial Services. Continuing or actively seeking employment. Not obtaining a passport or any international travel documents. Undergoing anger management treatment. Avoiding any contact with known MS-13 gang members.Judge Holmes further clarified that if Garcia is taken into ICE custody, he must consent to be transported back for further proceedings related to his case.
Garcia's journey has been tumultuous; he was deported in March to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison despite a 2019 court order prohibiting such action due to fears of persecution. This deportation occurred after the Trump administration labeled him a member of the criminal gang MS-13, a claim that both his family and attorneys vehemently deny.
In June, he was brought back to the U.S. to face charges in Tennessee involving the alleged transportation of undocumented migrants, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys recently filed a motion seeking to dismiss the criminal charges, arguing that they are a result of vindictive and selective prosecution due to his refusal to comply with the government's violation of his due process rights.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's trial related to the human smuggling charges is scheduled to commence on January 27, 2027. As the case progresses, his legal team continues to advocate for his rights, aiming to secure justice and safety for him and his family.
