US seeks to deport Kilmar Ábrego García to Liberia despite new Costa Rica deal
Guardian5 days
Trump Administration Reaffirms Intent to Deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia
Is deporting Abrego Garcia to Liberia lawful removal or unconstitutional retaliation?
Above: Kilmar Abrego Garcia at U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland in Greenbelt, Maryland, on Dec. 22, 2025. Image credit: Alex Wong/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Trump narrative
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is not the unfortunate victim that activists have made him out to be. Rather, he is a verified MS-13 gang member who only remains in the country because the courts keep blocking his deportation. For this purpose, the Trump administration has a ready and willing partner in Liberia, and can remove him the moment the judiciary allows justice to take its course.
Anti-Trump narrative
The Trump administration's commitment to ship Garcia to Liberia is performative cruelty. Despite the government of Costa Rica agreeing to accept him and Garcia designating the nation as his preferred country of removal, this administration is deliberately looking to send him to a place to which he has no connection, in violation of his rights.
Metaculus Prediction
Establishment split
CRITICAL
PRO
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation. All rights reserved.Version 6.18.0
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 6.18.0