US Maintains Plan to Deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia Despite Costa Rica Deal
The US Department of Homeland Security intends to deport Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, rejecting a new agreement with Costa Rica to accept him. During a federal court hearing, government attorneys argued that sending him to Liberia justifies the political capital and resources spent negotiating with the West African nation. Acting ICE head Todd Lyons stated that deporting him to Costa Rica would be prejudicial to US interests. However, US District Judge Paula Xinis criticized the agency for lacking a viable deportation plan, previously describing their efforts as empty threats. She dismissed the suggestion that Abrego Garcia could voluntarily remove himself to Costa Rica as a fantasy, given his pending human smuggling charges in Tennessee. Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador last year despite legal protections, was returned to the US under pressure but faces ongoing legal battles. He has pleaded not guilty to smuggling charges and seeks dismissal. The judge scheduled further briefings and a new hearing for April 28 to address the deportation logistics and legal constraints surrounding his case.
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US Maintains Plan to Deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia Despite Costa Rica Deal
The US Department of Homeland Security intends to deport Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, rejecting a new agreement with Costa Rica to accept him. During a federal court hearing, government attorneys argued that sending him to Liberia justifies the political capital and resources spent negotiating with the West African nation. Acting ICE head Todd Lyons stated that deporting him to Costa Rica would be prejudicial to US interests. However, US District Judge Paula Xinis criticized the agency for lacking a viable deportation plan, previously describing their efforts as empty threats. She dismissed the suggestion that Abrego Garcia could voluntarily remove himself to Costa Rica as a fantasy, given his pending human smuggling charges in Tennessee. Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador last year despite legal protections, was returned to the US under pressure but faces ongoing legal battles. He has pleaded not guilty to smuggling charges and seeks dismissal. The judge scheduled further briefings and a new hearing for April 28 to address the deportation logistics and legal constraints surrounding his case.
AP News