Deportation of Suspected MS-13 Member to a Third Country After Jail Release

A man suspected of belonging to the MS-13 gang, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, is set to be deported following his release from a Tennessee detention facility. However, instead of returning to his home country, El Salvador, the government plans to deport him to a third nation, as confirmed by a federal prosecutor.

The Department of Justice announced plans to begin removal proceedings against Abrego Garcia, aiming to deport him to a third country rather than El Salvador. This was discussed during a court hearing, where the prosecutor emphasized the administration’s intent to comply with court orders, though no specific timeline was provided.

During the hearing, a courtroom sketch captured Garcia listening as legal proceedings took place. The judge indicated that she cannot order Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to take specific actions in this case but could request cooperation from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The case arose after Garcia was previously deported to El Salvador but was returned to the U.S. earlier this month to face charges related to a traffic stop in Tennessee in 2022. His legal team has requested that he not be deported immediately upon release and be allowed to return to Maryland, where he previously lived.

Despite initial decisions to release him on detention, federal authorities maintain that Garcia, accused of serious crimes including child trafficking, will not regain freedom in the U.S. and will face deportation. The judicial process continues, with a hearing scheduled for July 7 to further evaluate the case.

The government’s move to deport Garcia to a third country follows a Supreme Court ruling that allows deportation to nations other than the individual’s home country with limited notice, after earlier efforts to block such deportations were unsuccessful.