Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 member and illegal immigrant, faces imminent deportation after an immigration judge denied his request to reopen his case, leaving him subject to removal under a final order.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has indicated that Garcia could be sent to a third country such as Uganda, Costa Rica or Eswatini, marking a notable enforcement action under the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
Garcia, a Salvadoran national, returned to the United States earlier this year from El Salvador to face charges related to human smuggling.
Trending Politics reports that Judge Philip P. Taylor rejected Garcia’s emergency motion to halt deportation proceedings, citing insufficient proof that he had been formally notified about removal or that the administration intended to send him to Uganda.
The ruling effectively ends Garcia’s attempt to secure asylum or permanent residency in the U.S.
Officials with DHS highlighted Garcia’s alleged criminal history, which includes human trafficking, domestic violence and gang affiliation.
In a social media statement, the agency emphasized, “This MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, domestic abuser, and child predator will never be loose on American streets.”
The department noted that the decision to remove Garcia is part of a broader effort to prioritize the safety of Americans over the protection of criminal illegal immigrants.
Garcia had sought to reopen his immigration case in August, claiming eligibility for asylum following his return to the U.S. after deportation.
Judge Taylor determined that the motion was untimely, as nearly six years had elapsed since his initial proceedings. The decision closes Garcia’s domestic avenues for legal relief, according to The Daily Caller.
The case has drawn attention because of prior interactions with Democratic officials.
DHS pointed out that lawmakers had visited Garcia in El Salvador while he was in prison, despite evidence of his alleged involvement in criminal activities.
The agency criticized these visits, stating, “While they continue to fight for criminal illegal aliens, we will continue to put the safety of the American people FIRST.”
Federal prosecutors maintain that Garcia smuggled migrants, drugs and firearms within the United States in 2022.
A Tennessee highway stop revealed eight individuals being transported by Garcia, all using his address as their own.
After his initial deportation to El Salvador, where he spent time in the country’s supermax prison, Garcia was returned to the U.S. to face prosecution following public pressure from Democratic figures.
Because DHS is barred from sending Garcia back to El Salvador due to a prior withholding of removal order, officials plan to deport him to a third country to mitigate risk while criminal proceedings continue in Tennessee.
The administration emphasized that actions against dangerous individuals remain a top priority for national security and border protection.
Garcia’s case illustrates ongoing challenges in balancing immigration law, judicial oversight and public safety.
Legal analysts note that while domestic remedies are exhausted, DHS retains the discretion to remove him to a safe third country.
The case underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws against individuals deemed a threat to public safety.
