Kilmar Abrego Garcia Released, Reunites with Family in Maryland After Wrongful Deportation
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, wrongfully deported to El Salvador and accused of MS-13 membership, has been released from federal custody in Tennessee, reuniting with his family in Maryland.
Overview
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident for over a decade, was wrongfully deported to an El Salvador prison in March, despite having an American family.
He was brought back to the U.S. in June to face trial, accused of MS-13 membership, an allegation his legal team vehemently disputes.
U.S. Magistrate Barbara Holmes ruled for Abrego Garcia's release from federal custody in Tennessee, where he was awaiting his upcoming trial proceedings.
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis further ordered the U.S. government to reinstate Abrego Garcia to his ICE Order of Supervision in Maryland.
Abrego Garcia has now been released from the Tennessee jail and successfully reunited with his family in Maryland, where he awaits his trial.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame this story by portraying the Trump administration's actions as vindictive and coercive. They emphasize the administration's "wrongful" deportation and subsequent "last-ditch efforts" to prevent release or force a plea, highlighting the perceived injustice and potential threats to Abrego Garcia's safety and liberty through selective language and emphasis.
Sources (41)
Center (13)
FAQ
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was wrongfully deported despite having withholding of removal status granted in 2019 due to danger from gang violence in El Salvador. The Trump administration deported him in March 2025 accusing him of MS-13 membership based on a 2019 bail proceeding determination, which he disputed. The deportation was called "an administrative error" by the U.S. government.
After being deported to El Salvador, Kilmar Abrego Garcia was imprisoned without trial in the Salvadoran Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT), a mega-prison, despite never being charged or convicted of a crime. This was part of an agreement under which the U.S. sent deportees to be jailed there for money.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was brought back to the U.S. in June 2025 to face trial on human smuggling charges, which he and his legal team dispute. He was held in federal custody in Tennessee but was released by order of U.S. Magistrate Barbara Holmes and U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who also ordered his reinstatement under an ICE Order of Supervision in Maryland, blocking any further deportation upon release.
Upon release, Kilmar Abrego Garcia expressed gratitude, stating it was a special day seeing his family for the first time in over 160 days. He thanked supporters and said he is grateful to God for his release, acknowledging that while they are closer to justice, it has not been fully served yet.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's trial on human smuggling charges is set to begin on January 27, 2027. His legal team vehemently disputes the allegations of MS-13 membership tied to the charges.
History
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