Abrego Garcia returning to US to face charges for human smuggling

Published June 6, 2025 4:15pm ET



Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national whom the Trump administration‘s Justice Department acknowledged was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, was en route back to the United States on Friday to face charges for human smuggling.

Abrego Garcia was charged with two federal criminal counts for allegedly transporting illegal migrants within the U.S., according to a charging document filed in Tennessee federal court. The move marks a sharp twist in a case that has become a flashpoint in the legal fight over federal deportation powers and judicial oversight.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.