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Judge to weigh government's effort to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia
CBS News • • nation
Key Points:
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man wrongfully deported to El Salvador in 2025 despite a 2019 court order blocking his removal, faces a new court hearing as the Trump administration seeks to deport him to Liberia.
- The administration claims Liberia has agreed to accept Abrego Garcia and plans to arrange his deportation, while Abrego Garcia prefers Costa Rica, which has indicated willingness to grant him refugee status or residency.
- Abrego Garcia was previously charged with human smuggling, but a federal judge dismissed the indictment citing vindictive prosecution; the government has appealed this ruling.
- His legal team accuses the administration of abusing immigration powers to punish him for challenging his deportation, highlighting failed attempts to send him to multiple African countries.
- Abrego Garcia remains free from ICE custody during ongoing legal proceedings, with the Justice Department urging the court to deny his motions to block deportation.
