Kilmar Abrego García Freed After Wrongful Deportation, But Future Uncertain
Background: Wrongful Deportation
In March 2025, Kilmar Abrego García, a Maryland resident, was wrongfully deported to El Salvador despite a 2019 U.S. court ruling protecting him from removal. He was held in El Salvador’s notorious CECOT prison, where rights groups say inmates face inhumane treatment.
Return and Arrest in the U.S.
After a Supreme Court order in April forced the government to bring him back, Abrego García was arrested in Tennessee on human smuggling charges. His attorneys argue the case is a form of vindictive prosecution tied to his civil lawsuit against the government.
Release With Court Restrictions
On August 22, 2025, a Tennessee judge released him under GPS monitoring, home detention, and supervision by his brother. A federal judge in Maryland also ruled that the government must provide 72 hours’ notice before any new deportation attempt, though DHS has signaled it may try to send him to a third country, possibly Uganda.
What Lies Ahead
Abrego García’s trial is scheduled for January 2026. Until then, he remains under strict supervision, and the threat of deportation persists. His case has become a flashpoint in the debate over U.S. immigration enforcement, human rights, and government accountability.