BALTIMORE — Kilmar Abrego Garcia returned to the spotlight on Monday after being taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a mandatory immigration check-in. This incident comes just days after Abrego reunited with his family after a mistaken deportation to El Salvador that lasted 160 days.

Abrego’s check-in was part of the conditions linked to his recent release on parole from federal custody. However, his attorneys had anticipated complications resulting from a new directive from the previous administration to deport him, potentially to Uganda. They expressed concerns that routine check-ins could lead to further detention.

Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, an attorney representing Abrego, condemned the decision to take him into custody, arguing there was no justification for it. “The only reason they took him into detention was to punish him for exercising his constitutional rights,” he stated. Sandoval-Moshenberg reported that ICE officials declined to provide information concerning Abrego’s detention or plans regarding his potential deportation.

Before his check-in, Abrego appeared at a news conference where he made a passionate plea, surrounded by supporters and community leaders. Speaking in Spanish, he urged listeners to remember his name and his recent freedom. “This was a miracle. Thank you to God and the community,” he said, expressing deep gratitude for the efforts made on his behalf.

Abrego’s legal saga began in March with his erroneous deportation to El Salvador, a move that violated a court ruling from 2019 that protected him from removal. Following a legal struggle, he was allowed to return to the U.S. in June, where he faced allegations of human smuggling charges in Tennessee, which he has pleaded not guilty to.

The Trump administration has characterized Abrego as a member of the violent gang MS-13, a claim his lawyers vehemently dispute. They argue that Abrego fled gang violence as a teenager to join family in Maryland. Recently, his legal team revealed that a plea deal had been offered to him, which could lead to his deportation to Costa Rica, a situation they deem it a form of punishment rather than justice.

Abrego’s attorneys indicated he would not accept any plea deal that implies guilt for charges he denies. “He will not accept charges of which he’s not guilty,” Sandoval-Moshenberg confirmed, underscoring Abrego’s commitment to contesting the allegations against him.

This latest development highlights ongoing controversies surrounding deportation practices, as Abrego’s case illustrates the challenges faced by many individuals caught in a complex immigration system. Critics say these actions serve to intimidate individuals who exercise their legal rights, further complicating the already challenging landscape of immigration enforcement.