Kilmar Abrego Garcia Wants Asylum

SAN SALVADOR, EL SALVADOR – APRIL 17: (EDITOR’S NOTE: This Handout image was provided by a third-party organization and may not adhere to Getty Images’ editorial policy.) In this handout provided by Sen. Van Hollen’s Office, U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) meets with Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia (L) at an undisclosed location on April 17, 2025 in San Salvador, El Salvador. Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident, was illegally deported by the Trump administration and has been held in prison in El Salvador since March 15. (Photo by Sen. Van Hollen’s Office via Getty Images)

Kilmar Abrego Garcia faces an uncertain future. The Trump administration wants to deport him to the African nation of Eswatini. Abrego Garcia wants to apply for asylum. Either path could mean a long journey through the legal system. Abrego Garcia became a flashpoint over President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown when he was deported to his native El Salvador in March. The Trump administration claimed he was a member of the MS-13 gang. Abrego Garcia denies the allegation. He was returned to the United States in June to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee. Abrego Garcia has plead not guilty to the charges.