Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran migrant at the center of a six-month immigration and criminal court fight, is expected to report Monday morning to the ICE Field Office in Baltimore, where he faces arrest and deportation to Uganda, his attorneys told Fox News and NBC News.
DOJ Allegations vs. Defense Claims
The Department of Justice has alleged that Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 gang member, citing a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee where he was allegedly driving a van with undocumented migrants. He has also been accused by his wife of domestic abuse.
Supporters, however, portray him as a hard-working father unfairly targeted by the administration. A judge earlier ruled the government had failed to prove he was an MS-13 member.
Costa Rica Plea Deal Rejected
On Thursday, the DOJ offered to deport Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica if he accepted a guilty plea to human smuggling charges.
His attorneys said the deal required him to remain jailed until removal and called it a “pressure campaign” by the Trump administration.
When he declined, ICE informed him he would instead be deported to Uganda — unless he reversed course and accepted the Costa Rica deal by Monday morning.
Legal Orders and Deportation Dispute
Court documents show ICE notified Abrego Garcia’s attorneys Friday that deportation to Uganda was planned, and his lawyers filed an urgent motion Saturday accusing the government of “vindictive prosecution.”
The planned deportation may conflict with a ruling by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who barred ICE from immediately arresting him after his May return to the U.S. from El Salvador.
Administration Pushback
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem condemned his release from custody Friday, vowing the administration “will not stop fighting till this Salvadoran man faces justice and is OUT of our country.”
