The Trump administration is moving forward with plans to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia as early as October 31, after three African nations declined to accept him. Abrego Garcia, originally from El Salvador, was deported back to his home country in March but was brought back to the United States in June to address human smuggling charges. He has pleaded not guilty and has faced a complex deportation process, with the administration seeking to transfer him to several countries.
According to a court filing from Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate, federal authorities have secured diplomatic assurances regarding the treatment of individuals deported from the U.S. to Liberia and are in the process of arranging Abrego Garcia’s removal. “Defendants expect to provide the requisite formal notice of the new designation of Liberia to Petitioner later today,” Shumate stated.
Before his detainment, Abrego Garcia spent a brief weekend with his family in Maryland before being taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 25. The operations official confirmed that the Trump administration had previously attempted to deport him to Uganda, Eswatini, and Ghana, but those countries chose not to accept him.
With the imminent deportation to Liberia, Abrego Garcia’s case continues to highlight the complexities surrounding immigration enforcement and international cooperation in handling deportees. While the situation remains tense, there is hope that the new arrangements may provide some clarity for all parties involved as the administration seeks to navigate these challenging deportation processes.