The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced on Monday, August 25th, that “ICE has arrested illegal immigrant and criminal offender Garcia from El Salvador in Maryland and is processing his deportation to Uganda.”
The announcement stated, “The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem announced today that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a known MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, domestic abuser, and child sex offender.”
According to the announcement, Garcia had previously admitted to residing illegally in the United States. The Prince George’s County police’s gang task force confirmed in 2019 that “Garcia was a member of the MS-13 gang, and he was found in possession of a large amount of cash and drugs when arrested, along with two other MS-13 members.”
Furthermore, on December 1, 2022, he was stopped by Tennessee State Highway Patrol for speeding, and “the officer noticed eight other individuals in the vehicle.” The announcement described that there were no luggage in the car at the time, leading the officer to suspect it was a case of “human trafficking.”
Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez, had previously filed a protective order against him, alleging that he physically abused her, causing bruises and tearing her shirt, leaving her bruised all over. Additionally, according to court documents, Garcia had also requested nude photos of a minor.
The announcement declared, “President Trump will not allow this illegal foreigner, who is a member of MS-13 gang, a human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child sex offender, to intimidate American citizens.”
According to the Associated Press, Garcia’s lawyer has swiftly filed a lawsuit to halt the deportation action until his protective order petition is heard, citing concerns that the U.S. may deport him to a country where “his safety cannot be guaranteed.”
A federal court in Maryland subsequently issued an order to automatically suspend the deportation action for two days until the second business day at 4 PM after the submission of the protection order petition.
Garcia denied the gang-related and human trafficking charges against him. Immigration officials stated that they plan to deport Garcia to Uganda, which recently agreed to accept some third-country returnees from the U.S. Garcia had previously rejected a proposal to be deported to Costa Rica on the condition of admitting to human trafficking charges.
Documents from the federal court show that the Costa Rican government expressed willingness to receive Garcia, who will be considered a legal immigrant and will not face detention.
A spokesperson from the Department of Justice stated in a release that criminal charges against Garcia highlight a “clear danger,” and he can choose to plead guilty or face trial. They emphasized, “In any case, we will hold Garcia accountable and protect the American people.”