Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem criticized the release of illegal migrant Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, whom Democrats have referred to as a “Maryland Man,” from federal custody.
In a statement from DHS, Noem condemned what she described as activist liberal judges attempting to “obstruct” law enforcement from removing “the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens.” She specifically targeted the judge who ordered Abrego Garcia’s release, saying the decision “shows a complete disregard for the safety of the American people.”
“Activist liberal judges have attempted to obstruct our law enforcement every step of the way in removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our country,” Noem said. “Today, we reached a new low with this publicity-hungry Maryland judge mandating this illegal alien, who is a MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator, be allowed free.”
Noem added, “By ordering this monster loose on America’s streets, this judge has shown a complete disregard for the safety of the American people. We will not stop fighting till this Salvadoran man faces justice and is OUT of our country.”
Abrego Garcia’s release follows U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes’ order to free him from a jail in Tennessee, where he had been held since his release from prison in El Salvador, according to NBC News.
As part of his release, Abrego Garcia must comply with a series of conditions and report to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at ICE’s Baltimore field office.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes in the Middle District of Tennessee ordered Abrego’s release from a jail near Nashville, where he had been held since being freed from El Salvador’s CECOT prison in June.
Abrego is reportedly en route to join his family in Maryland, according to Sean Hecker, one of his attorneys.
“He was unlawfully arrested and deported, and then imprisoned, all because of the government’s vindictive attack on a man who had the courage to fight back against the Administration’s continuing assault on the rule of law,” Hecker said in a statement.
Breitbart News reported that Abrego Garcia was released “amid claims that he was improperly sent home to El Salvador, despite the sudden end of the gang battles that he claimed in 2019 would endanger his life.”
Democrats, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), have advocated for Abrego Garcia and reportedly traveled to El Salvador to meet him after his deportation by the Trump administration, which had accused him of being an MS-13 gang member and alleged human smuggler.
Breitbart News also reported that Abrego Garcia faced accusations of beating his wife several times and being a member of the MS-13 gang.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated that when Abrego Garcia was arrested, he was “found with rolls of cash and drugs,” was accompanied by two other alleged MS-13 members, and “was wearing what is effectively MS-13’s uniform.”
