Story perspectives
Human Smuggling Charges Spark Claims of Retaliation
10/8/2025
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Story summary
- Kilmar Abrego Garcia faces Tennessee human smuggling charges he says are retaliatory after winning deportation suit against the Trump administration.
- A judge found a "reasonable likelihood of vindictiveness" in the charges.
- Abrego Garcia, from El Salvador, has withholding of removal since 2019.
- The 2022 traffic-stop investigation was reopened after his civil suit. A status hearing is set for October 10.
