Federal authorities now claim Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident recently deported to El Salvador, is suspected of having connections to the MS-13 gang and involvement in human trafficking—allegations that are fueling an already controversial legal fight over his removal.
According to investigators, Abrego Garcia was arrested in 2019 alongside known MS-13 members. Authorities cited details such as his clothing and associations as possible indicators of gang affiliation. Additionally, in 2022, a traffic stop in Tennessee raised red flags when he was found transporting multiple individuals with no identification or luggage, leading officers to suspect potential trafficking activity.
Despite the federal claims, Abrego Garcia has not been charged with either gang-related crimes or trafficking offenses. His legal team argues that the government is relying on speculation and circumstantial evidence to justify his deportation, which was carried out despite an active Supreme Court order prohibiting it.
Civil liberties advocates warn that the case reflects deeper concerns about due process and the use of unproven allegations to bypass legal protections. With ongoing court proceedings and political scrutiny intensifying, Abrego Garcia’s case remains a flashpoint in the national immigration debate.