The most trusted news from El Salvador
Provided by AGP
Abrego Garcia Smuggling Case Dismissed
(MENAFN) A federal judge on Friday dismissed the criminal human smuggling charges brought against Kilmar Abrego Garcia by the Trump administration, according to media reports.
US District Judge Waverly Crenshaw ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) had failed to overcome a legal presumption of vindictiveness raised by Abrego Garcia, who argued that the agency had deliberately reopened a closed inquiry into a November 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee — linking him to a human smuggling operation — as retaliation for his successful legal action against the Trump administration.
"Because the presumption of vindictiveness remains unrebutted, the indictment must be dismissed," said Crenshaw.
Abrego Garcia had not been charged or arrested during the original Tennessee traffic stop, in which state troopers questioned him based on suspicions of human trafficking after nine individuals were found travelling in the same vehicle without luggage. He was released without charge.
"Instead of investigating the November 2022 traffic stop to identify who was responsible for the human smuggling, (US Acting Attorney General Todd) Blanche started the investigation to implicate Abrego," wrote Crenshaw.
"(Blanche) did so to justify the Executive Branch's decision to remove him to El Salvador," added Crenshaw, in reference to Abrego Garcia's controversial and unlawful deportation to El Salvador in March 2025, which ignited widespread media scrutiny after the Trump administration defied judicial orders to return him to the US and instead sought to justify the unconstitutional removal by alleging he was a member of the El Salvadoran gang MS-13.
"Justice is a big word and an even bigger promise to fulfill, and I am grateful that today, justice has taken a step forward," Abrego Garcia said in a statement released by the immigrant advocacy group CASA, which represents him.
The Justice Department swiftly issued a statement denouncing the ruling.
"Another activist judge has placed politics above public safety. The judge's order is wrong and dangerous, and we will appeal," an agency spokesperson said in a statement.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
