Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member, was released Friday from Putnam County Jail in Tennessee and is now on his way to reunite with his family in Maryland, his lawyer confirmed to Fox 17 News.
The release comes after a U.S. magistrate judge ruled he could go free while awaiting trial on federal human smuggling charges.
His lawyer, Sean Hecker, celebrated the decision:
“Today, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is free. He is presently en route to his family in Maryland, after being unlawfully arrested and deported, and then imprisoned, all because of the government’s vindictive attack on a man who had the courage to fight back against the Administration’s continuing assault on the rule of law.”
Federal Indictment
Abrego Garcia was indicted by a federal grand jury in Tennessee for:
Prosecutors allege he was involved in moving illegal migrants across the United States.
The Department of Justice had previously argued he should be deported to a “third country” other than El Salvador after his release.
Obama-Appointed Judges Block Deportation
In July, U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw, an Obama appointee, ordered Abrego Garcia’s release from prison. Soon after, another Obama appointee, Judge Paula Xinis, barred ICE from taking him into custody in a related civil suit filed by Abrego Garcia’s wife.
That ruling effectively blocked immediate deportation efforts.
Homeland Security Outrage
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem blasted the decision, accusing “activist liberal judges” of putting Americans at risk.
“Activist liberal judges have attempted to obstruct our law enforcement every step of the way in removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our country,” Noem said in a statement. “Today, we reached a new low with this publicity hungry Maryland judge mandating this illegal alien who is a MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator be allowed free.”
“By ordering this monster loose on America’s streets, this judge has shown a complete disregard for the safety of the American people. We will not stop fighting till this Salvadoran man faces justice and is OUT of our country.”
What’s Next
Abrego Garcia may be deported to the East African country of Uganda, According to Fox News reporter Bill Melugin.
“Per DHS & ICE sources, this afternoon, DHS notified Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s counsel via email that ICE may deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda “no earlier than 72 hours from now”, & ICE is also ordering him to report to ICE’s Baltimore office on Monday.”
