MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia was released from a Tennessee prison on Friday and headed back to Maryland to be with his family, according to his attorney.
Fox 17 News reported:
Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been freed from Putnam County Jail and is on his way to reunite with his family in Maryland, his lawyer confirms to FOX 17 News.
This comes after a U.S. magistrate judge was expected to grant the release Friday as he awaits trial on federal human smuggling charges.
“Today, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is free. He is presently en route to his family in Maryland, after being 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. He is grateful that his access to American courts has provided meaningful due process.” -Abrego Garcia’s lawyer Sean Hecker said in a statement to Fox 17.
As reported late last month: A Tennessee-based federal judge previously ordered the release of MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia – and a Maryland judge, appointed by Barack Obama, immediately blocked ICE from detaining Abrego Garcia.
Last month, a federal magistrate judge in Tennessee agreed to delay the release of MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia so he doesn’t get deported.
A federal grand jury in Tennessee recently indicted Kilmar Abrego Garcia for “transporting undocumented migrants within the United States.”
He was charged with one count of conspiracy to transport aliens and one count of unlawful transportation of undocumented aliens.
The DOJ previously told the Court that Abrego Garcia will be deported to a ‘third country’ that is not El Salvador after he is released from a Tennessee jail.
Last month, US District Judge Waverly Crenshaw, an Obama appointee, ordered Kilmar Abrego released from prison.
Judge Paula Xinis, also an Obama appointee overseeing the civil suit filed by Abrego Garcia’s wife, immediately barred ICE from taking Abrego Garcia into custody.
Department of Homeland Security Chief Kristi Noem released a statement on Abrego Garcia’s newfound freedom.
“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. 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,” DHS Chief responded.
“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,” Noem said.
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. Today, we reached a new low with this publicity hungry Maryland judge mandating this illegal alien who is a…
— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) August 22, 2025
