Kilmar Abrego Garcia entered the news in March 2025 after he was deported to El Salvador despite a court ruling that should have prevented it. His complicated legal fight since then has galvanized both sides of the debate over President Donald Trump’s .
There is a civil case in Maryland where the 30-year-old is challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s attempts to deport him again. There is also a criminal case in Tennessee, where the government accuses him of human smuggling. Finally, there is a petition in immigration court, where he hopes to pursue an asylum claim.
Here is a timeline of key events:
Arrival: around 2011
Abrego Garcia flees El Salvador for the U.S. as a teenager.
Arrest: March 28, 2019
Abrego Garcia is arrested outside a Maryland hardware store. Police accuse him of being a gang member and turn him over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Immigration court: Oct. 10, 2019
A Maryland immigration judge rules that Abrego Garcia cannot be deported to El Salvador, where a gang has threatened his family. He is given a work permit and placed under federal supervision.
Detained by ICE: March 12, 2025
Abrego Garcia is detained by ICE in Baltimore while driving home with his 5-year-old son.
Deportation: March 15, 2025
Abrego Garcia is and held in a .
Supreme Court: April 10, 2025
The U.S. the Trump administration must work to bring Abrego Garcia back.
Criminal charges: June 6, 2025
Abrego Garcia is unexpectedly returned to the U.S. and , based on a from 2022.
Attempts at second deportation: July 23, 2025鈥攑resent
ICE announces plans to remove him to a but is from a Maryland federal judge.
Released from jail: August 22, 2025
Abrego Garcia leaves the Tennessee jail where he has been since June to return to his family in Maryland and await trial there. Within minutes of his release, ICE sends notice that they intend to deport him to Uganda.
Seeking asylum: Aug. 25, 2025
Abrego Garcia reports to an immigration office in Baltimore and is taken into custody. He also petitions to reopen his immigration case to in the United States.
Immigration case denied: Oct. 1, 2025
A Baltimore immigration judge denies Abrego Garcia鈥檚 request to reopen his immigration case. His attorneys vow to appeal.
Judge orders release: Dec. 11, 2025
A federal judge in Maryland orders ICE to Abrego Garcia while his legal challenge against his deportation proceeds.
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