Kilmar Abrego Garcia's lawyer reported that he was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after reporting for a scheduled check-in on 25/8. Garcia had just been released and reunited with his family in the US the previous week after 160 days of separation, following his erroneous deportation to El Salvador in March by the Trump administration.
After much advocacy, Garcia was returned to the US in June, but was immediately detained on human trafficking charges in Tennessee, which he denies. US authorities released him on 22/8, on the condition that he report to the ICE office in Baltimore, Maryland.
These check-ins are typically routine and for record updates. However, Garcia's lawyer had anticipated his detention during the process after he declined a plea deal the previous weekend.
According to his lawyers, the Trump administration offered Garcia a deal: if he pleaded guilty to the charges in Tennessee and served his sentence, he could be deported to Costa Rica, where the government would allow him to live freely.
"There was no need to put him in ICE detention. The only reason they put him in detention is to punish him" for rejecting the plea deal, said Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of Garcia's attorneys.
ICE's action followed the Trump administration's announcement of its intention to deport Garcia to Uganda.
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Kilmar Abrego Garcia (center, in white) leaves the Putnam County Jail in Tennessee on 22/8. Photo: AP |
Kilmar Abrego Garcia (center, in white) leaves the Putnam County Jail in Tennessee on 22/8. Photo: AP
Sandoval-Moshenberg stated that he asked ICE officers for the reason behind Garcia's detention but received no response. ICE has not provided information regarding Garcia’s current location.
"The fact that they are using Costa Rica as a 'carrot' and Uganda as a 'stick' to pressure Garcia into pleading guilty is clear evidence that they are manipulating the immigration system, a completely unconstitutional move," Sandoval-Moshenberg said.
According to Sandoval-Moshenberg, Garcia has filed a new lawsuit in a Maryland court to prevent his deportation from the US while his immigration proceedings are pending. The lawsuit challenges any deportation to Uganda or any other country until he receives a fair trial.
Before reporting to ICE, Garcia spoke to the media and his supporters.
"I am Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and I want you to remember this, remember that I was free and reunited with my family. This is a miracle. Thank God and thank you to the community," Garcia said.
The Trump administration has repeatedly accused Garcia of being a member of the notorious MS-13 gang. However, Garcia's lawyers dispute this, stating that he entered the US illegally at 16 to escape gang violence in El Salvador.
Ngoc Anh (NBC, AP, ABC)
