Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the man who was wrongfully deported to a high-security prison in El Salvador, was notified by immigration authorities that he may be deported to Uganda, less than 24 hours after his release from federal custody.
Abrego Garcia was released from a jail on Friday near Nashville, Tennessee, where he had been held since his return to the U.S. in June after being mistakenly deported El Salvador’s CECOT prison.
Immigration authorities were expected to attempt to deport Abrego Garcia upon his release. Abrego Garcia “may be removed to Uganda no less than 72 hours absent weekends,” a source familiar with the case told NBC News on Saturday.
That is in line with standard procedure that ICE must give immigrants 72 hours notice before being removed to third countries.
Abrego Garcia, originally from El Salvador, had a withholding of removal order from 2019 that prevents his deportation to his home country due to concerns that he would be persecuted by violent gangs.
The removal order was violated when the Trump administration accidentally deported Abrego to the El Salvador’s CECOT prison, notorious for its harsh conditions, in March. However, the 2019 protective order does not bar Abrego from being deported to another country.
In order to keep Abrego Garcia from being deported, his lawyers would have to convince an immigration judge he would have a likelihood of persecution or torture in Uganda within 72 hours.
Abrego Garcia’s lawyers have now notified the judge in the Middle District of Tennessee that ICE has informed Abrego of their intent to deport him to Uganda. Abrego could not face the criminal charges of human smuggling brought against him by DOJ in that case if he is out of the country.
Abrego Garcia, a father of three, was reunited with his family on Friday, after spending nearly half a year away from home. Images of the reunification, released by advocates, show a teary eyed Abrego holding his youngest son, who was with his father when Abrego was picked up by immigration authorities in March.
“Today has been a very special day because I have seen my family for the first time in more than 160 days,” he said in a statement on Friday.
“I’d like to thank all the people who have supported me because after this long time I have witnessed that so many people have been by my side with such positivity,” he added. “Today I am grateful to God because He has heard me and today I am out. We are steps closer to justice, but justice has not been fully served.”
Immediately upon his return to the United States in June, Abrego was charged with conspiracy to unlawfully transport illegal aliens for financial gain and unlawful transportation of illegal aliens for financial gain.
He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. A trial date has been set for January, but it is now unclear if Abrego can or will attend.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
