The Trump administration has announced plans to send Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador, to an unnamed third country. This decision is part of a renewed effort to deport him, according to multiple news outlets reporting on the situation this Thursday.
The current immigration policy under the Trump administration has included provisions for deportations to countries that are not the individual's country of origin. This controversial policy has been implemented with the backing of the Supreme Court, marking a significant shift in the U.S. immigration enforcement strategy.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was returned to the United States earlier this month following a court directive. The Justice Department was instructed to release him from a prison in Tennessee while he awaits trial. U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw indicated on Wednesday that it is likely Abrego Garcia will eventually be deported back to El Salvador, his country of origin.
Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to charges of allegedly smuggling undocumented immigrants within the United States. During a court hearing, Jonathan Guynn, the deputy assistant attorney general at the DOJ's civil division, stated, "Our plan is that he will be taken into ICE custody and removal proceedings will be initiated." When questioned by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis regarding the destination of the deportation, Guynn confirmed that it would likely be to a third country rather than El Salvador.
Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security, reiterated the administration's position, stating, "We have said it for months, and it remains true to this day." She emphasized that due to operational security measures, ICE does not disclose details about future removal operations until they are completed and have reached their designated countries.
A spokesperson from the Justice Department also affirmed that Kilmar Abrego Garcia "will not walk free in our country again." However, Guynn acknowledged that there is currently no set timeline for his removal. Abrego Garcia's legal team has expressed concerns that the U.S. Marshals Service could potentially release him from the Tennessee facility as early as Friday, only for Immigration and Customs Enforcement to then execute his removal over the weekend.
A motion hearing has been scheduled for July 7 to discuss the logistics of returning Abrego Garcia from Tennessee to Maryland. This hearing may provide further clarity on the deportation proceedings and the legal challenges faced by Garcia.
The situation surrounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia highlights the complexities of U.S. immigration policy and the ongoing legal battles faced by individuals caught in the system. As the Trump administration continues to pursue aggressive deportation strategies, the implications for those like Abrego Garcia remain significant and warrant close monitoring.
