Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran man recently released from custody, is facing potential deportation to Uganda, which has ignited a fierce debate over his legal rights and safety.
US Government Seeks Deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García to Uganda
US Government Seeks Deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García to Uganda
Controversial deportation decision raises questions about legality and safety for Salvadoran national
Less than 24 hours after his release, U.S. authorities have notified Kilmar Ábrego García of plans to deport him to Uganda, following his refusal to accept a plea deal linked to ongoing human smuggling charges, according to his legal representatives. His attorneys revealed that Mr. Ábrego García declined a plea offer to plead guilty in exchange for voluntary deportation to Costa Rica, a deal that was proposed after his imminent release from a Tennessee jail became evident on Friday.
Mr. Ábrego García, who is originally from El Salvador, had previously been deported to his home country in March by the Trump administration due to what was later recognized as a significant administrative error. Following this mishap, he was brought back to the U.S. facing criminal charges, which he has consistently denied, including allegations of connections to the notorious MS-13 gang.
The Costa Rican government had agreed to accept him as a refugee, granting necessary legal status, evidenced by communication from their officials included in the court filings. However, following his release, U.S. authorities apprised his attorneys of intentions to deport him to Uganda, a nation with which he has no established ties.
The documentation filed by his lawyers suggests a stark interpretation of the government's action: “The DOJ, DHS, and ICE are using their collective powers to force Mr. Abrego to choose between a guilty plea followed by relative safety or rendition to Uganda, where his safety and liberty would be under threat.”
Currently, Mr. Ábrego García resides in Maryland with family and is slated for a court appearance in Baltimore on Monday. Should a judge authorize the government’s request, his deportation could occur in a matter of days.
Notably, the U.S. has entered into bilateral deportation agreements with both Honduras and Uganda as part of its efforts to manage illegal immigration, as detailed in documents acquired by CBS, a partner of the BBC. Bagiire Vincent Waiswa, the permanent secretary for Uganda's foreign ministry, emphasized that this agreement comes with stipulations, noting that individuals with criminal backgrounds and unaccompanied minors are excluded from being accepted by Uganda and expressing a preference for individuals originating from Africa for any transfers.
The controversy surrounding Mr. Ábrego García's case has become emblematic of the Trump administration's hardline stance on immigration. After acknowledging the wrongful deportation to El Salvador, a judge ordered that Mr. Ábrego García's return be facilitated, leading to his re-entry into the U.S. in June. He has maintained his innocence regarding the charges against him and initially remained incarcerated despite a federal judge ruling for his release, due to concerns over potential swift deportation if released while his legal matters were unresolved.
