WASHINGTON — In a recent interview, former President Donald Trump clarified that he had no direct involvement in the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to the United States to face federal human trafficking charges, stating bluntly, “It wasn’t my decision.” Trump attributed the move to the U.S. Justice Department, saying, “They decided to do it that way, and that’s fine.”
Abrego Garcia, a sheet metal worker and father of three living in Maryland, was wrongly deported to El Salvador in March, despite a 2019 court order that barred his removal from the U.S. His deportation sparked nationwide attention and triggered a fierce debate involving the Trump administration, federal courts, and Democratic lawmakers.
The controversy culminated in April when the Supreme Court unanimously ordered the administration to “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return. However, officials argued that the U.S. could not compel El Salvador—a sovereign nation—to extradite a detained individual.
While the Trump administration has painted Abrego Garcia as an MS-13 gang member, a federal judge has questioned the credibility of the evidence backing that claim. Abrego Garcia has consistently denied any gang affiliation.
Now back on U.S. soil, Abrego Garcia is facing fresh legal trouble. During a press conference on June 6, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi alleged that Abrego Garcia made over 100 smuggling trips, transporting undocumented immigrants across the country.
According to the newly filed indictment, Abrego Garcia and several co-conspirators collaborated with contacts in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Ecuador, and Mexico. They reportedly facilitated the movement of migrants into the U.S., particularly from Houston to Maryland. To avoid detection, they often altered their travel routes and concocted cover stories involving construction jobs if stopped by law enforcement.
Trump, commenting on the case, said, “I think it should be a very easy case for prosecutors.”
However, not everyone agrees. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, legal counsel for Abrego Garcia, sharply criticized the Justice Department’s actions. “Due process means the opportunity to defend yourself before you’re punished, not after,” he said. “This is an abuse of power, not justice.”
As the legal battle unfolds, the case continues to ignite fierce debate about immigration enforcement, executive authority, and the rights of those caught in the crosshairs of U.S. policy.
