Kilmar Abrego Garcia back in US to face charges of helping traffic ‘thousands’ of migrants
After being mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration, Salvadoran native Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been brought back to the United States to face criminal charges. The federal grand jury has indicted Abrego Garcia for allegedly participating in a conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants within the country.
The indictment, filed under seal in federal court in Tennessee and unsealed recently, accuses Abrego Garcia, 29, of being involved in a long-running scheme to transport noncitizens from Texas to various locations in the U.S. The conspiracy reportedly spanned nearly a decade and involved the transportation of thousands of individuals, including children, in exchange for money.
According to sources familiar with the investigation, Abrego-Garcia allegedly participated in over 100 trips as part of the smuggling ring, with some of those transported believed to be members of the Salvadoran gang MS-13.
Abrego-Garcia is the only individual charged in the indictment, and his return to the U.S. comes after the Trump administration initially claimed they were unable to bring him back following his mistaken deportation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi expressed gratitude to Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele for cooperating in Abrego Garcia’s return. She stated that if Abrego Garcia is convicted, he will be deported back to El Salvador upon completion of his sentence.
The decision to pursue criminal charges against Abrego Garcia reportedly led to the resignation of a high-ranking federal prosecutor in Tennessee. Concerns were raised about the case being politically motivated, prompting the prosecutor to step down.
Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, emphasized the importance of ensuring a fair trial for his client, highlighting the need to protect due process rights for all individuals.
Federal prosecutors have moved for pretrial detention of Abrego Garcia, citing concerns about the safety of the community and flight risk. If convicted, Abrego Garcia faces a maximum sentence of 10 years for each count of transporting undocumented migrants.
The criminal investigation into Abrego Garcia’s activities began after a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee, where he was found driving a vehicle with multiple passengers. Subsequent inquiries revealed his alleged involvement in a smuggling operation led by Jose Ramon Hernandez-Reyes, a convicted felon.
Abrego Garcia’s family has denied allegations of his involvement with MS-13, and legal proceedings surrounding his deportation have been complex. The Justice Department’s decision to criminally prosecute him marks a significant development in the case.
As the legal process unfolds, Abrego Garcia’s fate remains uncertain. The pursuit of justice in this matter underscores the complexities of immigration enforcement and the need to safeguard the rights of all individuals involved.
