Kilmar Abrego Garcia Returned to U.S. to Face Federal Charges
June 7, 2025
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador earlier this year, has been returned to the United States to face federal charges. The move comes after months of legal battles between the Trump administration and the judiciary over compliance with court orders demanding his return.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed on Friday that Abrego Garcia has arrived back on U.S. soil and now faces two criminal counts in the Middle District of Tennessee: conspiracy to unlawfully transport undocumented immigrants for profit and actual transportation of undocumented immigrants for financial gain.
The unsealed indictment accuses Abrego Garcia and several unnamed co-conspirators of orchestrating a long-term operation that allegedly involved the transportation of thousands of undocumented immigrants across state lines. Many of these individuals are said to be linked to the MS-13 gang—an accusation Abrego Garcia and his family vehemently deny. They maintain that he fled El Salvador to escape gang violence and has no affiliation with MS-13.
Multiple sources told CNN that the decision to return him to the U.S. was made within days of the announcement, with involvement from both the State Department and the White House. President Donald Trump praised the decision, crediting Bondi and the Department of Justice for pursuing justice.
“He should have never had to be returned. Look at what they found in the grand jury,” Trump said aboard Air Force One. “Pam Bondi did a great job.”
However, legal experts and human rights advocates have raised concerns about the legal process. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, Abrego Garcia’s attorney, accused the government of bypassing judicial authority. “They disappeared Kilmar to a foreign prison in violation of a court order. Now, they’re bringing him back not to right a wrong, but to prosecute him. This is not justice; it’s abuse of power,” he said.
The indictment traces the alleged conspiracy back to 2016, involving over a hundred trips between Texas and other U.S. states. Abrego Garcia is accused of working closely with individuals identified only as CC-1 and CC-6, coordinating undocumented migrant transport and covering tracks with false stories, such as claims that migrants were on their way to construction jobs.
One key incident mentioned in the indictment occurred in November 2022, when Abrego Garcia was pulled over in Tennessee while transporting nine Hispanic men, none of whom had identification or luggage. Prosecutors also allege Garcia played a role in transporting narcotics, although no drug charges have been filed against him.
As legal tensions mounted, the case led to the resignation of Ben Schrader, the chief of the criminal division in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee. His departure sparked internal debate within the DOJ, highlighting discord over how the case has been handled.
Democratic lawmakers continue to criticize the administration's approach. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen, who met with Abrego Garcia in El Salvador, stated, “This is not about one man. It’s about protecting the constitutional rights of everyone.”
Meanwhile, Representative Pramila Jayapal called the deportation “a kidnapping in front of his child,” while Representative Maxwell Frost emphasized that constitutional rights should not be subject to political whims.
Abrego Garcia remains in custody awaiting arraignment. During his initial court appearance, he acknowledged the charges, answering “Sí. Lo entiendo.” — “Yes. I understand.”
The case continues to serve as a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration, due process, and the separation of powers in American governance.