After being mistakenly deported and held under questionable charges, Kilmar Ábrego García finds freedom again as he reunites with his family, but the looming threat of immigration authorities remains.
Kilmar Ábrego García Released: A Family Reunited After Legal Turmoil
Kilmar Ábrego García Released: A Family Reunited After Legal Turmoil
A Salvadoran man wrongfully deported returns home, but dangers loom as legal battles continue.
Kilmar Ábrego García, the Salvadoran man who faced wrongful deportation and subsequent returns to the U.S. amid legal challenges, has finally been released from jail, his attorney confirmed. “Today, Kilmar is back with his family,” said attorney Sean Hecker, indicating that he was headed to reunite with his wife and two children in Maryland after a long absence.
García, who was deported in March during former President Donald Trump's stringent immigration policies, spent time in the infamous Cecot prison in El Salvador. U.S. officials later admitted to the error in his deportation. Upon returning to the U.S. in June, he faced charges related to a human smuggling operation for which he has pleaded not guilty.
Upon release, García expressed gratitude, stating, “Today has been a very special day because I have seen my family for the first time in more than 160 days.” He continued, thanking those who supported him through the ordeal. However, he also acknowledged that while he was out, true justice had not yet been served.
The outcome has been a setback for the Trump administration, which previously sought to keep García from ever returning to the U.S. US Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, condemned the decision to release him, claiming it endangered public safety. She vowed that the administration would continue efforts to ensure García faces legal consequences and remains outside the U.S.
Initially arriving in the U.S. illegally as a teen, García had been granted protection against deportation due to concerns for his safety back in El Salvador. The situation escalated in March 2025 with his wrongful deportation, followed by legal efforts to reinstate him in the U.S. where he faced human trafficking charges. While released, concerns persist around potential re-deportation, with fears he may be sent to Mexico or even South Sudan. A judge has mandated that the government provide notice before any deportation actions.
