Tennessee authorities release video of Abrego Garcia at a traffic stop that officials have used to paint him as a criminal
Tennessee authorities released bodycam footage of a 2022 traffic stop involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, which has been used by the Trump administration to support claims of his alleged MS-13 gang involvement, despite no charges or evidence of human trafficking being found. Abrego Garcia's attorneys argue he was deported without due process and has no known gang affiliations, contesting his wrongful deportation to El Salvador. The incident has become a focal point in the political and legal debate surrounding his case, with federal judges demanding further evidence from the government. Abrego Garcia's family and legal team deny the accusations against him, and his wife states he transported workers for construction projects, not for criminal purposes. Despite a Supreme Court ruling, US officials claim they cannot force El Salvador to return him, while President Trump maintains his stance against facilitating his return, labeling him a gang member based on tattoos and confidential informants' tips.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident, was involved in a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee, which has been used by US authorities to allege his membership in the MS-13 gang and involvement in human trafficking, despite no charges being filed and no evidence in the released redacted report.
The traffic stop video shows Abrego Garcia being stopped for speeding with multiple passengers, whom he described as workers returning from a construction project, with the trooper noting the lack of luggage and raising suspicions of human trafficking, although no illegal items were found in the vehicle.
Abrego Garcia's legal team argues he was deported without due process, highlighting the lack of evidence connecting him to MS-13, noting the reliance on a confidential informant's tip and a Chicago Bulls hat as insufficient grounds for such allegations.
The deportation has spurred a legal battle with federal judges demanding more evidence from the Trump administration, while Abrego Garcia remains in El Salvador, unable to defend himself due to limited contact with the outside world.
Despite a court order to facilitate his return, US officials claim they cannot compel El Salvador to return him, with President Trump asserting he is an MS-13 member based on tattoos, while experts argue tattoos alone do not confirm gang affiliation. His wife disputes these claims, emphasizing his role in transporting workers, not engaging in criminal activities.
The incident has fueled public outcry and criticism over the lack of due process afforded to Abrego Garcia, with his family and lawyers demanding transparency and a fair opportunity for him to present his case in court.
The Department of Homeland Security has cited the traffic stop as a suspected human trafficking incident, using it to counter sympathetic narratives about Abrego Garcia, while his deportation continues to be a contentious issue in ongoing court proceedings.