Kilmar Abrego Garcia was taken into custody Monday morning after checking in with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement at its Baltimore field office.

Detained Without Explanation

According to his attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, ICE officers immediately detained Abrego Garcia upon his arrival but gave no explanation for the arrest.

“We asked the ICE officer what the reason for his detention was, the ICE officer didn’t answer,” Sandoval-Moshenberg said, adding that officers refused to provide paperwork or disclose where his client would be taken.

Facing Deportation to Uganda

Less than 24 hours after his release from criminal custody in Tennessee, ICE notified his attorneys that Abrego Garcia could be deported to Uganda and ordered him to report to the Baltimore office. His legal team has since filed a new lawsuit challenging the detention and potential deportation.

Background of the Case

The development follows Abrego Garcia’s rejection of a plea deal that would have sent him to Costa Rica in exchange for pleading guilty to human smuggling charges. His attorneys argue the government is pressuring him to accept guilt by threatening deportation to East Africa.

Judge’s Prior Order

In July, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to restore Abrego Garcia to ICE supervision through the Baltimore office. The ruling allowed the Trump administration to pursue “lawful immigration proceedings” but required 72 hours’ notice if deportation to a third country was planned.

For more on Garcia’s wrongful deportation case, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.