Kilmar Abrego Garcia surrendered to ICE officials on Monday, following his release from a Tennessee jail on Friday.
As a teenager, Abrego entered the U.S. illegally and settled in Maryland. He lived with his wife and children in Baltimore.
The Trump administration began mass deportations in early 2025. The administration accused Abrego of being a gang member and ordered ICE to deport him back to his Native El Salvador.
Abrego was among a group of alleged MS-13 gang members deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador on March 13.
Abrego’s case drew national attention and he became the face of anti-deportation protests in America.
On April 10, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered the Trump administration to “facilitate” Abrego’s return to U.S. soil.
Abrego was returned to the U.S. on June 6, and jailed in Tennessee on human trafficking charges. He declined to be released on bond because ICE agents were waiting for him outside the jail.
On July 23, the Maryland and Tennessee courts ordered his release from jail and blocked his deportation.
Abrego was released from jail on August 22, and returned to Maryland. A judge again ordered ICE not to deport him.
However, ICE told his attorneys to bring him to the ICE field office in Baltimore on August 25.
Abrego surrendered to ICE officials on Monday morning. He was accompanied by his wife, brother, and supporters. Dozens of people protested outside the field office.
“There was no need to take him into ICE detention,” Abrego’s attorney said. “The only reason they took him into detention was to punish him.”
ICE officials said Abrego will be deported to Uganda as soon as possible.
Abrego’s attorneys filed a lawsuit on Monday to prevent his second deportation. He is currently being housed in a detention facility.
Watch Abrego turn himself in to ICE officials below.
