Less than 24 hours after being released from a Tennessee jail, Kilmar Ábrego García learned from US government officials that he might be deported to Uganda. This decision follows García's refusal to accept a plea bargain that would have allowed him to plead guilty to human smuggling charges in exchange for deportation to Costa Rica. His legal team alleges that authorities are using intimidation tactics to pressure him into a guilty plea, underscoring their concerns over his safety if sent to Uganda.
The plea offer was reportedly made to Mr. García after it became apparent that he would be freed from jail on Friday. The government of Costa Rica had agreed to accept García as a refugee, providing him legal residency after he served any relevant sentences. However, his attorneys argue that once he was released, US officials suddenly indicated he would be sent to Uganda — a nation with which he has no prior connection.
"The DOJ, DHS, and ICE are using their powers to force Mr. Abrego to choose between a guilty plea followed by relative safety, or deportation to Uganda, where his safety would be at risk," they stated in legal documents. His team contends he must decide by Monday morning whether to accept the Costa Rican plea deal, warning that the offer will be permanently withdrawn if not accepted.
Currently staying in Maryland with his family, Mr. Ábrego García is scheduled for an immigration court appearance in Baltimore on Monday. Should the judge support the government's deportation request, he could be removed from the US very quickly.
The US has formal agreements with several countries, including Honduras and Uganda, aimed at managing illegal immigration, as highlighted by documentation acquired by CBS News. The Ugandan Foreign Ministry recently stated that they would prefer to receive only individuals from African nations, raising further concerns for Mr. García’s potential fate.
Mr. Ábrego García's deportation battle exemplifies the heightened tensions surrounding immigration policy as illustrated during the Trump administration's stance against illegal immigration. Earlier, García was mistakenly deported back to El Salvador and subsequently returned to the US due to a judicial ruling identifying the error. Although he has pleaded not guilty to the smuggling charges, fear of deportation looms as a significant barrier in his legal journey.
The plea offer was reportedly made to Mr. García after it became apparent that he would be freed from jail on Friday. The government of Costa Rica had agreed to accept García as a refugee, providing him legal residency after he served any relevant sentences. However, his attorneys argue that once he was released, US officials suddenly indicated he would be sent to Uganda — a nation with which he has no prior connection.
"The DOJ, DHS, and ICE are using their powers to force Mr. Abrego to choose between a guilty plea followed by relative safety, or deportation to Uganda, where his safety would be at risk," they stated in legal documents. His team contends he must decide by Monday morning whether to accept the Costa Rican plea deal, warning that the offer will be permanently withdrawn if not accepted.
Currently staying in Maryland with his family, Mr. Ábrego García is scheduled for an immigration court appearance in Baltimore on Monday. Should the judge support the government's deportation request, he could be removed from the US very quickly.
The US has formal agreements with several countries, including Honduras and Uganda, aimed at managing illegal immigration, as highlighted by documentation acquired by CBS News. The Ugandan Foreign Ministry recently stated that they would prefer to receive only individuals from African nations, raising further concerns for Mr. García’s potential fate.
Mr. Ábrego García's deportation battle exemplifies the heightened tensions surrounding immigration policy as illustrated during the Trump administration's stance against illegal immigration. Earlier, García was mistakenly deported back to El Salvador and subsequently returned to the US due to a judicial ruling identifying the error. Although he has pleaded not guilty to the smuggling charges, fear of deportation looms as a significant barrier in his legal journey.
