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Snapshot 8:Fri, Jun 13, 2025 9:23:32 PM GMT last edited by Anna-Lisa

Abrego Garcia Pleads Not Guilty to Human Smuggling Charges

Abrego Garcia Pleads Not Guilty to Human Smuggling Charges

Above: The Fred D. Thompson Federal Building & Courthouse where Kilmar Abrego Garcia was arraigned on June 13, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. Image copyright: Brett Carlsen/Getty Images

The Spin

This case exposes the Trump administration's lawless approach to immigration enforcement. Abrego Garcia was illegally deported, and only after his case gained national attention did the government scramble to build a criminal case against him. Although the government has been publicly tying him to several heinous crimes, it has only charged Abrego Garcia with trafficking, which does nothing to validate its treatment of him.

Garcia ran a sophisticated human smuggling operation for nearly a decade, transporting thousands of illegal immigrants including MS-13 gang members across the country for profit. The criminal charges are based on solid evidence from a 2022 traffic stop and extensive investigation, not political motivation. This shows the administration's commitment to securing borders and prosecuting those who exploit ourAmerica's immigration system.

Metaculus Prediction

There's a 20% chance that at least twice as many deportations by U.S. ICE will occur in fiscal year 2025 compared with fiscal year 2024, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

This case exposes the Trump administration's lawless approach to immigration enforcement. Abrego Garcia was illegally deported, and only after his case gained national attention did the government scramble to build a criminal case against him. Although the government has been publicly tying him to several heinous crimes, it has only charged Abrego Garcia with trafficking, which does nothing to validate its treatment of him.


The Controversies



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