Washington, D.C. – After a months-long legal and diplomatic standoff, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident erroneously deported to El Salvador, has been returned to the United States to face federal human smuggling charges.
On Friday, Abrego Garcia, 29, appeared in a Nashville federal court, where prosecutors charged him with participating in a nine-year conspiracy to transport undocumented migrants within the U.S. Authorities allege he smuggled approximately 50 individuals per month, some affiliated with MS-13, from Texas to various states.
The sealed two-count indictment, unsealed last month, accuses Abrego Garcia and unnamed co-conspirators of using social media, cellphones, and reconfigured vehicles to move migrants while deliberately limiting their communication by withholding phones. Prosecutors claim children were sometimes transported on floorboards and that Abrego Garcia participated in an incident where a trailer carrying 150 migrants overturned in Mexico, killing 50.
Legal Battle and Deportation Controversy
In March 2025, U.S. authorities detained Abrego Garcia in Baltimore and deported him to El Salvador—despite an ongoing legal challenge. His deportation sparked criticism from civil rights groups and lawmakers, including Rep. Jamie Raskin, who called it a violation of constitutional due process.
In April, the U.S. Supreme Court and a federal judge ordered the government to return him. The Trump administration delayed, claiming the return depended on Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele. On Friday, Bukele confirmed via X (formerly Twitter) that El Salvador cooperated after receiving a formal request from the U.S.
Government and Defense Statements
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed his return and said Abrego Garcia will “face justice.” She described him as a full-time smuggler who made over 100 smuggling trips, often involving women and children.
In contrast, Abrego Garcia’s attorneys claim the case represents “an abuse of power.” His lawyer, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, argued that instead of correcting an illegal deportation, the government used it to further a prosecution.
Jennifer Vasquez Sura, Abrego Garcia’s wife, insists he worked in construction and merely drove coworkers. “He was not charged with any crime when detained,” she said.
The arraignment and detention hearing is scheduled for June 13. He remains in federal custody, after Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes denied his public defender’s request for release. Prosecutors warned he poses a flight risk and could face effectively a life sentence, with up to 10 years per transported individual.
