US Seeks to Deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda After He Refused Plea Offer in His Smuggling Case

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)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — U.S. immigration officials say they intend to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda, after he declined an offer to be deported to Costa Rica in exchange for remaining in jail and pleading guilty to human smuggling charges. Abrego Garcia’s defense attorneys wrote in a Saturday court filing that the Costa Rica offer came on Thursday when it was clear he would likely be released the following day. After Abrego Garcia left jail on Friday, the Department of Homeland Security notified his attorneys that he would be deported to Uganda and should report to immigration authorities on Monday. Separately, prosecutors then gave him until Monday to accept the plea deal. His attorneys declined to say if he’s still considering it.