Trump Seeking To Deport ‘Maryland Man’ Abrego Garcia To Uganda

The Trump administration is threatening to deport accused MS-13 associate Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda unless he accepts a plea deal on federal human smuggling charges, according to his legal team.

Federal prosecutors reportedly informed Garcia’s lawyers that if he rejects the plea offer by Monday, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will begin deportation proceedings—sending him not to his home country of El Salvador, but to Uganda. If he takes the deal, he could be deported instead to Costa Rica.

Garcia’s attorneys are calling the tactic coercive. The Department of Justice, however, says the goal is to protect the public and ensure accountability.

“This defendant can plead guilty and accept responsibility or stand trial before a jury,” a DOJ spokesman said. “Either way, we will hold Abrego Garcia accountable and protect the American people.”

Media-Dubbed “Maryland Man” Exposed

Garcia previously drew sympathetic media coverage after the Trump administration deported him to El Salvador in error—where he reportedly feared reprisal from rival gang members. Legacy outlets and Democrat politicians referred to him as a “Maryland man,” portraying him as a family man wrongfully removed.

But the narrative began to unravel when investigators uncovered alleged ties to MS-13, reports of sexual misconduct involving minors, and his central role in a human smuggling operation.

The Case Against Garcia

Garcia’s charges stem from a November 2022 traffic stop in Putnam County, Tennessee, where he was caught transporting nine individuals in a Chevrolet Suburban. One of them—a 15-year-old boy—remains unaccounted for. Homeland Security agents confirmed at least six of the passengers were illegal aliens from Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras.

Garcia was released from jail Friday and returned to Maryland pending trial.

He faces 10 years and a $250,000 fine for conspiracy to transport aliens, plus up to 10 years per person smuggled on additional counts.

Plea Deal vs. Deportation

The Trump administration has not confirmed whether deportation to Uganda is being formally pursued. However, the mere suggestion is drawing backlash from Garcia’s defenders, who accuse the administration of manipulating deportation as leverage.

The DOJ remains firm that Garcia is a threat and must be held accountable under the law. ICE has not commented on where deportation might lead if Garcia declines the plea deal.