The end of the test or the beginning of a new one? Kilmar Abrego García, a 30 -year -old Salvadoran immigrant, erroneously expelled and then returned to the United States after several months of legal battle, was released on Friday, August 22. The last turn in a case that has become emblematic of the massive expulsion policy of immigrants led by the Donald Trump government.
“Today was a very special day, because I have seen my family for the first time in more than 160 days. We took another step towards justice, but it has not yet been completely presented,” he said in a house statement, an immigrant defense association.
This man had been expelled to Salvador without more form of trial in March with more than 250 individuals, especially for belonging to a Venezuelan gang. The Trump government then recognized an “administrative error” regarding this resident of Maryland, married to an American.
Kilmar Abrego García does not have a legal immigration status in the American soil, but a decree of expulsion against him had been definitively canceled in 2019. And this, due to the risk of persecution by gangs, as Reuters remembers.
Welcome with emotion for your loved ones
He was finally taken back to the United States in June, but the Trump administration had immediately launched the prosecution against him in Tennessee to receive help to the illegal suspension of migrants.
A judge of this state had concluded on July 23 that he was going to be released while waiting for his trial in this case, whose date was established for January 27, 2026. His release intervened on Friday. In photos and videos communicated by the organization, we see him acclaimed by his loved ones when he arrived and then smiled and moved, his son in his arms, next to his family and his wife, drying his tears.
Abigail Jackson, a White House spokesman, estimated that his release was “an insult to his victims.” The US Executive notably accuses Kilmar Abrego García of being a member of the saving gang MS-13, classified “terrorist organization” of the new US administration.
However, a Tennessee judge had emphasized in June that “he had no judicial history” and that “his assistance allegedly to a gang was contradicted by the evidence presented by the Government.”
Towards a transfer to Uganda?
According to US media, including Fox News, the Ministry of Internal Security (DHS) informed the lawyers of the person concerned about their possible transfer to Uganda, and that he had to appear on Monday before immigration services.
“Although his release brings a certain relief, we all know that he is far from being safe. Ice detention (the immigration police) or the expulsion to a third unknown country still threatens to tear his family,” said Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of his lawyers, in a press release transmitted by home.
The DHS did not respond to AFP requests. Not more than ICE and lawyers, for the moment, have confirmed this Reuters information.
Trump Vent Administration against its release
For Abigail Jackson, the White House deputy spokesman, Kilmar Abrego García must “respond to his crimes” and must carry an electronic bracelet “to guarantee the security of the US public until other measures can be taken.”
The Secretary of Internal Security, Kristi Noem, said she was still considered a criminal and a criminal of the immigration laws, calling him “monster” who was released by “liberal activist judges.” “We will not stop fighting until this Salvadoran is taken before justice and outside our country,” he wrote in X.
A Maryland judge, seized by the family of Kilmar Abrego García since his expulsion in March, prohibited the government, including the immigration police, to stop him once his release has happened.
This forces the government, if he decided to expel him to a third country, to notify Kilmar Abrego García and his lawyers at least 72 hours in advance. A way to give him a sufficient delay to challenge his expulsion.
Donald Trump erected the fight against illegal immigration in absolute priority, evoking an “invasion” of the United States for “abroad criminals” and communicating abundantly in the expulsions of immigrants. However, its massive expulsion program was retained by multiple judicial decisions, particularly on the grounds that attacked people should be able to affirm their rights.
Source: BFM TV
