President Donald Trump has addressed the controversy surrounding the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national previously deported from Maryland and now facing serious federal charges for his alleged involvement in a human smuggling network.
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump voiced support for the Department of Justice’s handling of the case, stating that the agency “made a decision” and emphasized confidence in their judgment. His remarks come amid mounting criticism over the decision to bring Abrego Garcia back into the U.S. after his March 2025 deportation, which occurred despite a prior court order protecting him from removal.
Abrego Garcia had been granted protection in 2019 due to threats from criminal gangs in El Salvador, but he was deported earlier this year in what federal officials later acknowledged was a procedural error. Following a legal challenge that escalated to the Supreme Court, the U.S. was ordered to facilitate his return.
Now in custody, Abrego Garcia faces multiple charges including conspiracy and alien smuggling. Prosecutors allege he helped transport undocumented migrants—some believed to be MS-13 gang members—across state lines as part of a smuggling operation spanning nearly a decade.
While Democrats have raised concerns about due process and the legality of his initial deportation, Trump dismissed those arguments, characterizing Abrego Garcia as a dangerous individual. “The courts will show how horrible this guy is,” Trump stated, standing by the criminal proceedings now underway.
Abrego Garcia is set to appear in federal court in Nashville, where the case could become a flashpoint in the national debate over immigration enforcement, constitutional protections, and executive authority.