DOJ Commits to US Trial for Kilmar Abrego Garcia Amidst Deportation Concerns

The Justice Department has affirmed that Kilmar Abrego Garcia will face federal smuggling charges in Tennessee before any potential move to deport him. This commitment comes amidst growing concerns that Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March and later returned to the U.S., could be swiftly expelled again.

On Thursday, June 26, a Justice Department spokesperson clarified that Garcia “will not walk free in our country again” and is set to face trial for “horrific crimes, including trafficking children.” This statement aims to allay fears raised by a recent ruling from U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes in Nashville, who, while acknowledging Garcia’s right to release pending trial, opted to keep him in custody briefly over deportation worries.

Garcia’s legal team filed an emergency request on Thursday with a federal judge in Maryland, seeking an order to transfer him to that state upon release, thereby preventing immediate deportation before his trial. His attorneys expressed concerns that the government might attempt to remove him quickly, potentially over the upcoming weekend.

During a conference call, Justice Department attorney Jonathan Guynn acknowledged plans to deport Garcia to a “third country” but stated there was no immediate timeline. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson echoed the DOJ’s stance, emphasizing Garcia would “face the full force of the American justice system.”

The case has become a focal point of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Garcia, who lived in Maryland with his American family for over a decade, was mistakenly deported in March, violating a 2019 immigration judge’s order. He pleaded not guilty on June 13 to the smuggling charges, which his attorneys view as an attempt to justify his erroneous expulsion. A key hearing in Maryland is scheduled for July 7 to address the emergency request and other motions.

阅读中文版 (Read Chinese Version)

Disclaimer: This content is aggregated from public sources online. Please verify information independently. If you believe your rights have been infringed, contact us for removal.