ICE Arrests Kilmar Abrego-Garcia Amid Deportation Battle/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Kilmar Abrego-Garcia was arrested Monday at an ICE check-in in Baltimore, renewing fears he could be deported again despite ongoing legal challenges. The Trump administration is considering sending him to Uganda under a new agreement. Immigration advocates staged a vigil in his support as his case dominates national headlines.
Abrego-Garcia Case: Quick Looks
- Arrest Location: ICE field office in Baltimore, Maryland
- Background: Previously deported to El Salvador in violation of a 2019 order
- Court Action: Returned to U.S. after judge and Supreme Court orders
- Charges: Faces federal human smuggling allegations from a 2022 traffic stop
- Release Terms: Freed Friday under electronic monitoring, ordered to stay in Maryland
- ICE Notice: Plans to deport him to Uganda within days
- Trump Administration: Uganda deal allows deportations to third countries
- Official Comment: Trump border czar Tom Homan vows deportation is certain
- Community Response: Advocates, clergy, and supporters held sunrise vigil outside ICE office
- Next Steps: Deportation could occur within 72 business hours of notice
Deep Look: Abrego-Garcia Arrested Again as Deportation Looms
BALTIMORE — Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers arrested Kilmar Abrego-Garcia on Monday morning, just minutes after he checked in at the agency’s Baltimore field office. The move signals a renewed push by the Trump administration to deport the 30-year-old immigrant at the center of one of the nation’s most high-profile immigration battles.
Arrest at Baltimore ICE Office
Abrego-Garcia, accompanied by his brother Cesar, arrived at the ICE building shortly after sunrise. Outside, dozens of faith leaders, immigration activists, and community members held a vigil organized by advocacy groups to show support for him and his family. The gathering underscored the national spotlight his case has drawn since his deportation saga began earlier this year.
The arrest came just days after a federal judge ordered Abrego-Garcia released from detention in Tennessee. He had been held for weeks on human smuggling charges, stemming from a 2022 traffic stop in which he was found driving nine passengers. Despite no immediate charges at the time, prosecutors later filed federal charges, which he has pleaded not guilty to.
On Friday, the judge allowed him to return to Maryland under strict conditions: electronic monitoring, home confinement, and continued supervision by ICE.
A Case That Captured National Headlines
Abrego-Garcia first came to prominence when he was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March, despite a 2019 immigration court order that explicitly barred such removal due to credible fears of gang persecution. After weeks of public outcry, lawsuits, and even a Supreme Court order, the Trump administration returned him to the United States in June.
Instead of being freed, he was jailed in Tennessee to await trial on the smuggling charges, only securing conditional release last week. Immigration advocates hailed his return to Maryland as a step toward justice — only to see him detained again Monday.
Uganda as a Possible Destination
The new twist in his case centers on Uganda. ICE notified his attorneys that the agency intends to deport him to the East African country, citing a newly signed agreement with the Trump administration. The notice, sent Friday by ICE’s Office of the Principal Legal Adviser, warned that removal could occur within 72 business hours.
Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar, confirmed Uganda as a possible destination in a Fox News interview Sunday. “We have an agreement with them. It’s on the table, absolutely,” Homan said. “He is absolutely going to be deported.”
Homan added that Abrego-Garcia should “enjoy the little time he has with his family,” suggesting relatives could join him abroad. “For the person who says we’re not going to separate family, his family can go with him, because he’s leaving,” he said.
Supporters Rally Against Deportation
Outside the Baltimore ICE office, supporters criticized the administration’s handling of the case. Advocates framed it as emblematic of broader concerns about family separations, due process, and the targeting of immigrants with established community ties.
Abrego-Garcia has lived in Maryland for more than a decade, where he worked in construction and supported his wife and children. His attorneys argue the smuggling charges are retaliatory and part of a “vindictive prosecution” intended to justify his earlier wrongful deportation.
“ICE’s decision to target him again shows that this administration is determined to separate families, regardless of court orders,” said one faith leader at the vigil.
Legal and Political Ramifications
The case has become a lightning rod in national debates over immigration, due process, and executive power. Trump officials have sought to portray Abrego-Garcia as a gang-affiliated smuggler, while his supporters insist he is a family man and construction worker who has been scapegoated.
With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, the administration’s aggressive handling of the case is likely to resonate both with Trump’s political base, which views deportation as essential to border security, and with critics who accuse the White House of weaponizing immigration enforcement.
What Comes Next
If ICE proceeds with its notice, Abrego-Garcia could be deported to Uganda as early as mid-week. His attorneys are expected to file emergency motions to block removal, citing concerns that deporting him to a country where he has no ties violates due process and international human rights standards.
For now, his family and supporters remain in limbo. Monday’s vigil reflected both fear and defiance.
“We’re not giving up,” one organizer said. “If they deport him to Uganda, we’ll fight to bring him back again.”
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