ICE arrests Kilmar Abrego-Garcia in Baltimore

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detain Abrego-Garcia

Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials arrested Kilmar Abrego-Garcia Monday morning, shortly after he arrived for a check-in at the agency’s field office in Baltimore, Maryland.

Legal battle and possible second deportation

Abrego-Garcia’s legal fight for months has dominated U.S. headlines, after he was deported by the Trump administration to El Salvador in violation of a 2019 court order. He faces a possible second deportation, this time to Uganda.

Community members gather for a vigil

Shortly before his arrival Monday morning, immigration advocates, faith leaders, and other community members massed outside the field office at sunrise for a vigil, organized by two immigration advocacy groups.

Arrest on human smuggling charges

He was arrested upon return to the U.S. on human smuggling charges stemming from a 2022 traffic stop in Tennesee. He remained in federal detention until Friday, when he was released from U.S. custody and ordered to return to Maryland, where a judge said he could remain under electronic surveillance and under ICE supervision while awaiting trial.

Deportation to Uganda

ICE officials notified Abrego-Garcia’s attorneys shortly after his release on Friday that they planned to deport him to Uganda, an East African nation that reached a deal with the U.S. last week to accept migrants deported by the Trump administration.

Trump administration’s stance on deportation

Trump’s border czar Tom Homan told Fox News in an interview Sunday night that Abrego-Garcia was “absolutely” going to be deported from the U.S., and said Uganda is “on the table” as the third country of removal.

For now, he said, Abrego-Garcia “can enjoy the little time he has with his family. And for the person who says we’re not going to separate family, his family can go with him, because he’s leaving.”

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.