Trendpills
The U.S. government is intensifying its efforts to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national previously wrongfully removed to El Salvador, by seeking to send him to Liberia. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it has secured an agreement with the West African nation to accept him, potentially as early as October 31.
This move comes as the administration challenges a federal judge's injunction that has, until now, prevented Abrego Garcia's deportation. He is currently in custody and awaiting trial in Tennessee on human smuggling charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty. His case gained notoriety after he was mistakenly deported in the past, despite having a valid claim to remain in the U.S. due to fears of persecution in his home country. In late August, a judge temporarily blocked his removal to ensure his legal proceedings could continue.
In new court filings, the Department of Justice, acting on behalf of DHS, is asking the court to dissolve that ban. The government stated it has received "diplomatic assurances" from Liberia regarding Abrego Garcia's treatment upon arrival. According to DHS, Liberia has formally agreed to accept him, providing a new destination for his removal after his ties to El Salvador were determined to be insufficient for a second deportation there.
Lawyers for Abrego Garcia have consistently argued that his removal would endanger his life and violate his due process rights. The legal battle highlights the complexities of U.S. immigration policy and the administration's determination to proceed with deportations even in contested cases. The government's push to send him to an entirely different continent represents a significant and unusual development in his prolonged immigration case, as reported by multiple outlets. The outcome of the court's decision on lifting the ban will be critical in determining his immediate future.
