US immigration authorities plan to deport Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda after he declined an offer to be sent to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges.
Garcia was released from jail on Friday, but Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) informed his attorneys that he must report to its Baltimore Field Office on Monday for deportation proceedings to Uganda.
According to a court filing in Tennessee, the government gave him until Monday morning to accept the Costa Rica deal, precisely when he is due at ICE, or risk losing the offer permanently.
A letter from Costa Rica’s government, included in the filing, stated that Garcia would be welcomed as a legal immigrant and would not face detention there. His attorneys declined to say whether he is still considering the offer.
Justice Department spokesperson Chad Gilmartin said a federal grand jury has charged Garcia with “serious federal crimes,” emphasising that the defendant poses a risk to the community. “This defendant can plead guilty and accept responsibility or stand trial before a jury. Either way, we will hold Abrego Garcia accountable and protect the American people,” Gilmartin said in a statement.
Garcia’s case has drawn attention as a flash point in US immigration policy. In March, he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador despite a judge’s ruling that he faced a credible threat of violence there. Following a court order, the Trump administration returned him to the United States in June, only to detain him on human smuggling charges.
The 42-year-old has lived in the United States for nearly 14 years. He is married to an American citizen and has three children with disabilities. He worked in construction and held a valid work permit since 2019. Although deemed eligible for pretrial release last month, his attorneys requested he remain in custody to avoid another sudden deportation.
He has pleaded not guilty and moved to dismiss the case, arguing that the deportation threat is retaliation for challenging his earlier removal.
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With inputs from Associated Press