A video of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has gone viral following his claims about a “corrupted government,” particularly as he was being questioned about potential ties to the MS-13 gang while in custody.
The 30-year-old, originally from El Salvador, now faces the risk of being sent back to Uganda after his detention by a Baltimore immigration officer on Monday.
The Department of Homeland Security released footage of Garcia being escorted through their office after his arrest.
DHS commented alongside the video that “America is safer without this MS-13 gang member.” They added that he simply doesn’t belong here.
The clips gained traction online after Garcia, who had been released from a Tennessee prison just last week, was waiting to face trial on human smuggling charges. He remarked about a “corrupt government” as ice agents took him away.
One response on social media called Garcia “nothing more than a troublesome child.”
Others expressed disbelief at the irony of him criticizing the Trump administration.
“He’s still a corrupt guy; he wants to stay here,” commented another user.
“How can he dare to tweet about a ‘corrupted government’? Criminals can’t corrupt others,” someone else fumed.
Garcia’s recent arrest came after an incident in June where he was mistakenly sent back to his hometown in El Salvador by the Trump administration.
After returning, he faced charges related to allegedly illegally transporting immigrants. He has maintained his innocence, asserting he is not involved with any gang activities, and was released on bond just last Friday.
His legal team has proposed offering to send him to Costa Rica in exchange for a guilty plea, or claim he is at risk of deportation to Uganda.
His lawyer, Simon Sandoval Moshenberg, remarked that “They keep Costa Rica as a carrot and Uganda as a stick,” accusing the government of using the immigration system unconstitutionally.
After reporting for a scheduled interview on Monday, he was detained again by the federal government at the Baltimore office.
Christie Noem, Secretary of Homeland Security, stated, “Today, ICE law enforcement has arrested Kilmer Abrego Garcia. President Trump is determined that we will not allow this illegal foreigner, a known MS-13 member, to instill fear in American citizens.”
During a court hearing later that day, US District Judge Paula Sinis indicated an intent to file additional motions concerning the administration’s plans for Garcia’s deportation to Uganda.
The judge ordered that he could not be removed until these matters were resolved.
