DHS Confirms Abrego García Stopped Over Human Trafficking Suspicion

Clear Facts

• The Department of Homeland Security confirmed that Kilmar Abrego García was stopped in December 2022 on suspicion of human trafficking.
• During the traffic stop, Abrego García was found transporting eight passengers without a valid driver’s license.
• Abrego García is on the Threat Screening Center’s Transnational Organized Crime Watchlist and is alleged to be a member of MS-13.

In a recent revelation, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has confirmed that Kilmar Abrego García, an alleged member of the notorious MS-13 gang, was stopped in December 2022 on suspicion of human trafficking. This incident occurred during a traffic stop by a Tennessee Highway Patrol officer.

On December 1, 2022, Abrego García was found transporting eight passengers across the country. It was reported that he did not possess a valid driver’s license and was suspected of trafficking these individuals. Despite these suspicions, he was released at the request of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Documents from Homeland Investigations shed more light on this encounter. The vehicle driven by Abrego García was observed “speeding and unable to maintain its lane,” leading to the traffic stop. Authorities noted that he held an expired Maryland “limited term temporary driver’s license,” which is issued to non-U.S. citizens.

The officer identified eight other individuals in the vehicle, and Abrego García stated he was driving them from Texas to Maryland. Interestingly, none of the passengers had luggage, and all listed the same home address as Abrego García’s.

Authorities also reported that Abrego García allegedly pretended to speak less English than he was capable of, attempting to confuse the officer by responding with his own questions. He claimed that the vehicle’s owner was his “boss,” who works in construction.

Efforts to gather information about the passengers were hindered by their illegible handwriting, and Abrego García received a warning for driving on an expired license.

DHS further informed that Abrego García is on the Threat Screening Center’s Transnational Organized Crime Watchlist. This aligns with a recent Department of Justice (DOJ) release, which included a gang field interview sheet indicating Abrego García’s ties to MS-13.

In 2019, two immigration judges denied him bond, affirming the government’s claim of his MS-13 affiliation and citing him as a potential community threat. Despite these concerns, a separate immigration judge granted him withholding of removal, preventing deportation to El Salvador due to potential persecution by the rival gang Barrio 18.

The Trump administration later acknowledged an “administrative error” when Abrego García was removed to El Salvador. He is currently detained in the country’s CECOT prison.

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