MONROVIA –The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has intensified its efforts to deport Salvadoran national Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to Liberia, reviving a contentious international arrangement that had previously drawn mixed reactions both in the United States and Liberia.
By Selma Lomax, [email protected]
In a fresh motion filed before a U.S. federal court, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) urged Paula Xinis to dissolve an existing order blocking Abrego Garcia’s removal.
The administration argued that the injunction remains the only obstacle preventing immigration authorities from executing what officials describe as an imminent deportation.
Court filings reveal that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has already finalized logistical preparations, including the possibility of arranging a chartered flight to Liberia within approximately five days, should the court lift its restriction. Officials insist they are “still prepared to remove Garcia” and can act with what they described as “extreme expediency.”
The latest development marks a renewed phase in a prolonged legal and diplomatic saga that has come to symbolize the broader tensions surrounding U.S. immigration enforcement and third-country deportation policies.
Abrego Garcia’s case has been fraught with legal disputes and international scrutiny since March 2025, when he was deported to El
Salvador in apparent violation of a 2019 court order that barred his removal to that country due to fears of persecution.
U.S. authorities had alleged that he was affiliated with the MS-13 gang, an accusation he has repeatedly denied. His legal team and family members have maintained that there is no credible evidence linking him to criminal activity.
Following his deportation, Abrego Garcia was detained at El Salvador’s high-security CECOT prison, a move that triggered widespread criticism from human rights organizations. U.S. officials later acknowledged that his removal had been the result of an “administrative error,” leading to his return to the United States months later.
Upon his return, he was charged in Tennessee with human smuggling offenses, to which he pleaded not guilty. His attorneys have characterized the charges as retaliatory. After a brief release into family custody in Maryland, immigration authorities re-arrested him, and he is currently being held in detention in Pennsylvania.
The current push to deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia revives a controversial diplomatic agreement reached earlier, when the Government of Liberia agreed to accept him on what it described as “strictly humanitarian and temporary grounds.”
At the time, Liberian officials said the decision followed extensive consultations and reflected the country’s longstanding commitment to humanitarian principles and international solidarity. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) had informed the court that it secured diplomatic assurances from Liberia regarding the treatment of deportees and had begun final arrangements for his transfer.
That agreement, however, immediately sparked debate within Liberia. Some human rights advocates and civil society actors criticized the move, arguing that accepting a deportee with no prior ties to Liberia raised ethical concerns and risked setting a troubling precedent. Critics also questioned whether the decision reflected external pressure, given Liberia’s close diplomatic and economic relationship with the United States.
Others defended the government’s position, pointing to Liberia’s historical identity as a refuge for displaced persons. Legal scholars and policy analysts argued that the decision aligned with international humanitarian norms and demonstrated the country’s willingness to assist in complex global migration challenges.
Despite those earlier arrangements, Judge Paula Xinis intervened, issuing an order that temporarily blocks the deportation. In her rulings, she raised concerns about the legality of both Abrego Garcia’s detention and the government’s attempt to remove him to a third country.
In a significant decision, Xinis also ordered his release from immigration custody, stating that he had been detained “without lawful authority” after his return to the United States. The ruling dealt a setback to the administration’s plans, although it did not permanently resolve the issue of his potential deportation.
The Department of Homeland Security responded sharply, criticizing the ruling as lacking legal merit and accusing the court of overstepping its authority.
The administration’s latest motion signals a determination to revive the Liberia deportation plan despite the legal hurdles. By emphasizing its readiness to act quickly, officials appear to be increasing pressure on the court to rule in their favor.
Legal experts note that the case could have far-reaching implications for U.S. immigration policy, particularly the practice of deporting individuals to third countries with which they have no direct connection.
Meanwhile, Abrego Garcia’s attorneys continue to argue that his case represents a violation of due process, asserting that the government is attempting to remove him before he has had a fair opportunity to contest the allegations against him.
With the court yet to rule on the administration’s latest request, the situation remains fluid. If the injunction is lifted, Abrego Garcia could be deported to Liberia within days, reviving a controversial plan that had already tested diplomatic and legal boundaries.
If the court maintains its position, the case is likely to continue through extended legal proceedings, further prolonging uncertainty for all parties involved.
For now, the renewed push to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia underscores the delicate intersection of law, diplomacy, and human rights—an issue that continues to resonate far beyond the borders of the United States and Liberia.
