DHS Plans to Deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia Amid Legal Challenges

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced plans to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, to Liberia. This decision follows previous attempts to deport him to countries including Uganda, Eswatini, and Ghana.

In a recent court filing, the Department of Justice stated that DHS has obtained "diplomatic assurances regarding the treatment of third-country individuals removed to Liberia from the United States and are making the final necessary arrangements for [Abrego Garcia's] removal."

Abrego Garcia, who resided in Maryland with his family, was deported to El Salvador in March, despite a 2019 court order prohibiting his removal to that country due to fears of persecution. He was returned to the U.S. in June to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee, to which he has pleaded not guilty. After his release into his brother's custody in Maryland, he was detained again by immigration authorities and is currently held in Pennsylvania.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has issued an order preventing the government from deporting Abrego Garcia while his case is under review.

Abrego Garcia's attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, criticized the government's actions, stating, "Having struck out with Uganda, Eswatini and Ghana, ICE now seeks to deport our client Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia -- a country with which he has no connection, thousands of miles from his family and home in Maryland." He added that Costa Rica has agreed to accept Abrego Garcia as a refugee and remains a viable option.

The Department of Justice describes Liberia as "a thriving democracy" committed to the humane treatment of refugees.