Trump Administration Plans to Deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia

The U.S. Justice Department announced on Friday that the Trump administration intends to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, with the removal potentially occurring as early as October 31.

In a court filing in Maryland, government lawyers stated that Liberia has agreed to accept Abrego Garcia. They noted that he had identified over 20 countries where he feared persecution or torture upon removal, but Liberia was not among them.

"Liberia is a thriving democracy and one of the United States's closest partners on the African continent," the filing stated.

Abrego Garcia's attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, criticized the administration's decision, describing it as "punitive, cruel and unconstitutional." He expressed concern that without assurances from Liberia against re-deportation to El Salvador, sending his client there would be unlawful.

This development follows a series of events involving Abrego Garcia. Initially deported to El Salvador in March despite a 2019 legal status preventing such action due to potential persecution, he was imprisoned upon arrival. A U.S. judge later ordered his return, which occurred in June after a federal indictment on human smuggling charges.

Since then, the administration has explored deporting him to various countries, including Uganda, Eswatini, and Ghana, all of which declined to accept him. Abrego Garcia has expressed a preference for Costa Rica, which has indicated willingness to provide him refugee status or residency.

Judge Paula Xinis has currently barred the administration from deporting Abrego Garcia while his legal challenges are ongoing.