URGENT UPDATE: New reports reveal that the Trump administration aggressively pursued the prosecution of Kilmar Abrego Garcia only after he legally challenged his wrongful deportation to El Salvador. This shocking information comes from a recently unsealed court order, indicating a troubling pattern of vindictiveness in the case.
According to the order issued by U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw on December 3, senior officials within the Justice Department deemed Garcia’s prosecution a “top priority” just weeks after he was deported on March 15, 2023. The court documents suggest that this urgency emerged only after Garcia contested his deportation, raising serious questions about the motivations behind the charges against him.
On April 27, Aakash Singh, an official under Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, reached out to key government officials, including then-Acting U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee, Rob McGuire, to discuss Garcia’s case. The following week, on April 30, Singh emphasized the case’s importance, stating it was a “top priority” for the Justice Department.
Days later, on May 21, a grand jury indicted Garcia on smuggling charges. Judge Crenshaw’s order highlights that multiple high-ranking officials were involved in the decision-making process, suggesting that the prosecution may not have been a unilateral decision.
Garcia’s legal team argues that the charges stem from retaliatory motives, asserting that the government sought to punish him for challenging his deportation in court. They are currently requesting the dismissal of the charges on the grounds of vindictive prosecution. Judge Crenshaw has acknowledged potential vindictiveness in the case and has called for more documentation from the government.
The ongoing legal battle has significant implications. After being deported, Garcia was initially held in a notorious prison in El Salvador. Following his legal challenge, a federal court in Maryland ordered his return to the U.S., a ruling upheld by the Supreme Court. Garcia was finally allowed to return in June and has since pleaded not guilty to the smuggling charges against him.
Earlier this month, Garcia was released from Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody after Judge Paula Xinis determined that there was no valid deportation order justifying his detention. He remains in Maryland with his American citizen wife and child, awaiting further legal proceedings.
In a move that underscores the urgency of this situation, Judge Xinis has required the Trump administration to submit a sworn declaration regarding any plans to re-detain Garcia, including the legal grounds for such action. The administration has previously suggested potential deportation to various African nations, including Liberia.
As this case unfolds, the implications for both Garcia and the broader immigration system remain critical. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for January 28 to further examine the prosecution’s motives and whether the government’s actions were indeed vindictive.
With the potential for significant repercussions, this case is drawing national attention. Stay tuned for further updates as developments arise in this high-stakes legal battle.
