Controversial Deportation: Kilmar Ábrego García Faces a Grim Fate in Uganda

Sat Oct 11 2025 20:47:17 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

US authorities may deport Kilmar Ábrego García to Uganda after he declined a plea deal for human smuggling charges, raising concerns over his safety.

Following his release from custody, Kilmar Ábrego García's legal team is fighting against a proposed deportation to Uganda, which they argue is an attempt by the US government to pressure him into accepting a guilty plea. The case highlights ongoing immigration tensions and the complexities of US deportation policies.

Less than a day after being released from custody, Kilmar Ábrego García is at the center of a controversial potential deportation to Uganda, following his refusal to accept a plea deal in a human smuggling case. Lawyers representing Mr. Ábrego García claim he turned down an offer to plead guilty in exchange for being sent to Costa Rica, an agreement facilitated after his expected release from a Tennessee jail.

His legal team has accused the U.S. government of "coercing" him into accepting the plea deal by threatening deportation to Uganda, a nation he has no ties to. In a prior mishap, Mr. Ábrego García was deported to El Salvador only to be brought back to face charges in the U.S., prompting his current legal battles. The Costa Rican government has indicated its willingness to accept him as a refugee, providing legal status after his sentence is completed.

Now residing with his family in Maryland, Mr. Ábrego García is under pressure to decide quickly; his attorneys have informed him he must accept the plea deal for Costa Rica by Monday morning, or it will be withdrawn permanently. In the event of denial, he could face immediate deportation to Uganda, where his safety is at risk, given the alleged ties between criminal activity and strict laws in the African nation.

A scheduled immigration court appearance in Baltimore could determine Mr. Ábrego García's fate. This case exemplifies the current administration's tough stance on immigration and raises questions about human rights in deportation practices. The U.S. has established expeditious deportation agreements with a number of countries, including Uganda, which is now a focal point in Mr. Ábrego García's legal struggle.

Additionally, the tangled nature of Mr. Ábrego García's case underscores the broader implications of U.S. immigration policies, particularly impacting individuals with complex backgrounds and those facing deportation to nations where they may face significant threats. His story resonates within the larger context of immigration reform discussions and the ethical considerations surrounding due process in deportation cases.