Kilmar Abrego Garcia, wrongly deported to El Salvador, is back in the U.S. to face smuggling charges
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man the Trump administration wrongfully deported to El Salvador, is back in the U.S.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced his return at a short press conference Friday afternoon at the Department of Justice.
“This is what American Justice looks like,” Bondi said.
She thanked Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele for his help in sending Abrego Garcia back.
Bondi told reporters that a grand jury indicted Abrego Garcia on May 21 in Tennessee. He faces federal criminal charges for allegedly transporting migrants without legal status around the country. She said his alleged criminal activity occurred over 9 years. The indictment specifically accuses Abrego Garcia “of conspiracy to unlawfully transport illegal aliens for financial gain” and “unlawful transportation of illegal aliens for financial gain.”
Bondi says Abrego Garcia will face a trial in the U.S. on these charges and, if found guilty, will serve time in a U.S. prison before being deported back to El Salvador.
“Now, after months of delay and secrecy, they’re bringing him back, not to correct their error but to prosecute him. This shows that they were playing games with the court all along,” Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Simon Sandoval Moshenberg, told NPR. “Due process means the chance to defend yourself before you’re punished, not after. This is an abuse of power, not justice.”
The case has become a bedrock for both the Trump administration and immigration advocates as the push to streamline deportations undercuts key elements of due process.
This is a breaking news story. Some things reported by the media may later turn out to be wrong. We will focus on reports from officials and other authorities, credible news outlets and reporters who are at the scene. We will update as the situation develops.

Massacres in eastern Congo cast doubt on U.S. mediated peace deal
Rwanda backed M23 rebels in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo killed hundreds of villagers in July, according to Human Rights Watch, raising doubts about Trump backed peace process.
One civilian injured in crash with D.C. National Guard military vehicle
The military vehicle, which is designed to withstand explosive attacks, collided with a "civilian vehicle" just after 6 a.m. on Wednesday in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C.
Dependent on foreign sales, U.S. wheat farmers hoping longtime partners stick with them
As President Trump's tariffs kick in, American companies that rely on imports are worried about rising costs and passing them onto consumers. But some U.S. exporters are worried too.
On ‘Se Amaba Así,’ Buscabulla fight to keep romance alive
The Puerto Rican duo test the limits of their vulnerability on their sophomore album, plus they perform live in the studio.
The legacy of civil rights martyr Jonathan Daniels
Wednesday marks the 60th anniversary of Daniels’ killing at the hands of an Alabama county official. Today, the Episcopal Church venerates Daniels as a saint and martyr. For the anniversary, Episcopalians from around the country gathered for an annual pilgrimage to the site of his death in Hayneville.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ and the band Babymetal hit fresh milestones on the pop charts
The KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack just placed three songs in the top 10 of the Hot 100 charts simultaneously — a feat not many movie soundtracks have accomplished.