By Maribel Velazquez
A federal judge in Tennessee on Friday dismissed the human trafficking charges against Kilmar Abrego Garcíathe Salvadoran immigrant wrongly deported by President Donald Trump’s administration, in a decision that represents a serious blow to immigration policy.
CBS Knowledge detailed that federal judge Waverly Crenshaw concluded that the accusation presented by the Department of Justice was “vindictive” in nature.
Abrego García faced two charges related to human trafficking after a traffic stop that occurred in Tennessee in November 2022. During the inspection, state authorities They found several people inside the vehicle he was driving. The Salvadoran pleaded innocent from the beginning of the process.
The case that put pressure on immigration policy
The case of Kilmar Abrego García became one of the most controversial episodes within Trump’s immigration offensive, because the immigrant had received smartly matched protection against his deportation to El Salvador.
Despite this, In March 2025 he was expelled from the United States and sent to Salvadoran territory, where he was initially detained in a maximum security prison. Later, an official from the administration itself acknowledged that the deportation had been carried out in error.
After his transfer, Abrego García presented a civil lawsuit in Maryland to challenge deportation. In April 2025, a federal judge ordered the US government to facilitate his return to the country to continue the corresponding judicial process.
However, The Department of Homeland Security delayed his return for monthswhich increased political and legal pressure on the Trump administration.
“Vengeful” accusation, according to the judge
Judge Waverly Crenshaw’s ruling now represents a significant victory for the Salvadoran defense. According to court documents cited by the aforementioned media, the judge accepted the argument that the criminal accusation had been brought as retaliation after the immigration litigation opened by Abrego García.
Although the ruling eliminates federal charges in Tennessee, The Salvadoran’s immigration case still has legal and political implications. During the last few months, Abrego García faced parallel processes between federal authorities in Tennessee and immigration officials in Maryland.
The Trump administration has so far not issued a comprehensive response following the court decision.
Keep reading:
- Salvadoran Kilmar Ábrego García is released from an immigration center in the US.
- Judge orders the release of Salvadoran immigrant Kilmar Abrego from ICE custody
