By Newspot Nigeria Global Desk
MARYLAND, USA – The United States government has reaffirmed its controversial plan to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, to Liberia, despite a federal judge labeling the proposal a “fantasy” given his ongoing criminal proceedings in the U.S.
During a hearing in a Maryland federal court on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, Department of Justice (DOJ) attorneys told U.S.
District Judge Paula Xinis that the administration remains committed to sending Abrego Garcia to the West African nation. The government argued that significant “political capital” has been invested in negotiating with Liberia to accept third-country nationals.
Abrego Garcia, who has lived in Maryland for over a decade, finds himself at the center of a complex legal tug-of-war. While the U.S. seeks his removal to Liberia, he is currently facing federal human smuggling charges in Tennessee.
Judge Xinis expressed sharp skepticism toward the government’s stance, noting that Abrego Garcia is legally required to remain in the U.S. to attend his criminal hearings. She questioned how the government could expect him to “remove himself” to Liberia while his prosecution is active.
The case is further complicated by Abrego Garcia’s recent history. In 2025, he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador but was later returned to the U.S. by court order to face the Tennessee charges.
While the U.S. insists on the Liberia plan, Abrego Garcia’s legal team has proposed his deportation to Costa Rica, a country that has previously indicated a willingness to accept him. However, the Trump administration has flatly rejected this alternative, calling it “prejudicial to the United States.”
The court has scheduled a follow-up hearing for April 28, 2026, to determine how the government plans to reconcile its deportation goals with the requirements of the U.S. criminal justice system.
