BALTIMORE, Md. – Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia was arrested Monday morning by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after arriving for a routine check-in at the Baltimore field office. Officials plan to begin removal proceedings that could deport him to a third country, possibly Uganda.
Lawyers Challenge Detention
Outside the ICE office, Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, told reporters that ICE refused to disclose his detention location or the reason for his arrest. Officials also denied his lawyers any paperwork related to his removal.
Sandoval-Moshenberg added, “As of the last five minutes, Mr. Abrego Garcia has filed a new lawsuit in federal court, challenging his confinement and any deportation to Uganda—or any other country—until he receives a fair trial in immigration court and exercises his full appeal ri
His attorneys filed a habeas petition in the U.S. District Court of Maryland. The case was assigned to U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who has presided over a related civil case since March, challenging Abrego Garcia’s prior deportation to El Salvador.
Judge Previously Blocked Immediate Arrest
Last month, Judge Xinis issued an order seeking to prevent ICE from immediately arresting Abrego Garcia. News of his detention is likely to draw scrutiny from the judge, who has pressed Trump administration officials for details on his removal and legal status.
Community Rallies Support
Before his arrival at the ICE office, immigration advocates, faith leaders, and community members gathered for a candlelight vigil. Around 200 supporters, some arriving before sunrise, stood with Abrego Garcia and his wife. Emotions ran high as family and faith leaders spoke to the crowd beginning around 6 a.m.
Federal Officials Defend A**est
Meanwhile, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem praised the arrest on social media. She repeated claims, echoed by Trump officials, that Abrego Garcia is an MS-13 g*ng member. Noem stated that President Donald Trump will not allow him “to te**orize American citizens any longer.”
Legal Battle and Previous Deportation
Abrego Garcia’s case has dominated headlines for months. He was previously deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration in violation of a 2019 court order. Following public and judicial pressure, he returned to the U.S. under federal and Supreme Court orders.
After his return, he was arrested on human smuggling charges stemming from a 2022 Tennessee traffic stop. He remained in federal custody until Friday, when a judge released him under ICE supervision and electronic monitoring while awaiting trial.
ICE Prepares Uganda Deportation
Shortly after his release, ICE informed Abrego Garcia’s lawyers of plans to deport him to Uganda, which recently agreed to accept U.S. deportees under a Trump-era arrangement. ICE’s notice stated that DHS may remove him “no earlier than 72 hours from now (excluding weekends).”
Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, confirmed on Fox News that Uganda is “on the table” as a third country for deportation. Homan emphasized, “He is absolutely going to be deported…His family can go with him, because he’s leaving.”
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