DHS' Kristi Noem Says Trump Won't Allow Abrego García to 'Terrorize American Citizens Any Longer' After He's Taken Into Custody

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Kilmar Abrego Garcia and agents are processing him for deportation after he surrendered following his release from a Tennessee prison.

Noem also described Garcia as a member of the MS-13 gang, a human trafficker, and a domestic abuser, claims he has rejected, and said that President Donald Trump is "not going to allow García to terrorize American citizens any longer."

The post took place minutes after García was taken into custody in Baltimore and only three days after he was freed from custody in the criminal case that was filed against him in Federal District Court in Nashville.

The Department of Homeland Security echoed Noem's sentiment with a post of its own noting García would be processed for removal to Uganda. "Sanctuary politicians and the FAKE news won't tell you the truth about Kilmar Abrego Garcia—a MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, wife beater, child predator and criminal illegal alien. We will," the post read.

Garcia's legal team has disputed the allegations and has raised concerns over his treatment. He was previously deported to El Salvador in March, where he was held in the infamous Cecot prison before being returned to the U.S. due to an administrative error. His lawyers claim the government is attempting to coerce a guilty plea by threatening deportation "halfway across the world."

Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, one of Garcia's attorneys, told reporters outside the ICE office in Baltimore that his client was taken into custody despite being under ankle monitoring and essentially on house arrest. "The only reason that they've chosen to take him into detention is to punish him, to punish him for exercising his constitutional rights," he said.

Garcia's supporters held a rally outside the ICE field office in Baltimore, expressing concern over a potential second deportation to a country with which he has no known ties. He has also filed a federal lawsuit challenging his detention and potential deportation until a trial can determine his case.