Investigation Launched into Kilmer Abrego Garcia’s Alleged Human Smuggling Activities

Mark Greene, a Republican member of the House of Representatives’ Homeland Security Committee, has initiated an investigation concerning Kilmer Abrego Garcia’s alleged role in human smuggling rings. Abrego Garcia, previously deported to El Salvador during President Donald Trump’s administration due to accusations of being an MS-13 gang member, has faced calls from Democrats urging his return to the U.S.

In a letter, Greene has requested unedited information regarding a traffic stop involving Abrego Garcia from 2022.

Reports indicate that a convicted felon involved in human smuggling claimed to FBI agents that he would employ Abrego Garcia to transport undocumented migrants from the U.S. border without attracting law enforcement attention.

On May 1, 2025, the Tennessee Star shared body camera footage from a November 30, 2022, encounter with Abrego Garcia, who was stopped by a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer for irregular driving and speeding while transporting multiple passengers. Officials from THP suggested in the footage that they suspected Abrego Garcia was being compensated for smuggling activities. Notably, he was driving a vehicle registered to Jose Ramon Hernandez Reyes, an illegal immigrant who had previously admitted to smuggling undocumented individuals.

During the traffic stop, THP officials utilized federal law enforcement data, which revealed that Abrego Garcia was a recognized member of the MS-13 gang—a transnational criminal organization. Additionally, there were reports that THP had consulted with the FBI, which allegedly instructed them not to arrest Abrego Garcia, leading to his release despite potential violations. This raised concerns in the committee regarding possible lapses or miscommunications between federal agents and THP personnel that may have contributed to the release of individuals with gang affiliations and trafficking ties.

Greene is now seeking all body camera and dash camera recordings related to the traffic stops involving Abrego Garcia, along with any related notes and reports from law enforcement staff.

For several months, Democrats in both the House and Senate have insisted on Abrego Garcia’s return from his current incarceration in El Salvador. However, last week, Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem remarked to senators, “There’s no scenario where Abrego Garcia returns to the U.S.”

Noem further noted, “If he does come back, he will be deported immediately again as he poses a threat as a terrorist, a human smuggler, and has domestic violence charges against him.” Abrego Garcia has faced accusations of being part of the MS-13 gang for many years and has been charged multiple times with domestic violence against his wife in Maryland.