US Plans to Deport Salvadoran Man to Ghana After Controversial El Salvador Detention

October 10, 2025 - The United States Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Ghana, marking an unusual turn in a case that has drawn international attention and raised questions about deportation procedures.

Background of the Case

Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native who had been residing in Maryland with his wife and children, was initially deported in March 2025 to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison, despite a 2019 court order that specifically barred his deportation to that country due to documented fears of persecution.

The Trump administration justified the deportation by claiming Abrego Garcia was a member of MS-13, a notorious criminal gang. However, both his family and legal representatives have vehemently denied these allegations.

New Deportation Plan

According to a notice sent by the Department of Homeland Security to Abrego Garcia's attorneys, the agency now intends to deport him to Ghana rather than return him to the United States or keep him in El Salvador.

The decision to deport a Salvadoran national to Ghana, a West African nation with no apparent connection to the individual, has raised eyebrows among immigration law experts and human rights advocates.

Legal and Humanitarian Concerns

The case highlights several troubling aspects of current deportation practices:

Violation of Court Orders: The initial deportation to El Salvador directly contradicted a 2019 court order meant to protect Abrego Garcia from persecution.

Unsubstantiated Gang Allegations: Family members and attorneys maintain that the MS-13 membership claims are false, raising concerns about the evidence used to justify the deportation.

Questionable Destination: The planned deportation to Ghana, a country where Abrego Garcia has no known ties, citizenship, or family connections, presents unprecedented legal and humanitarian questions.

CECOT Mega-Prison

The CECOT facility in El Salvador, where Abrego Garcia was sent, has been the subject of international scrutiny. The maximum-security prison was built as part of El Salvador's aggressive crackdown on gang violence and has faced criticism from human rights organizations over conditions and due process concerns.

Family Impact

Abrego Garcia's deportation has had significant consequences for his family in Maryland, separating him from his wife and children who remain in the United States. His legal team continues to challenge the deportation decisions.

Broader Implications

This case raises fundamental questions about:

• The enforcement of court-ordered protections for deportees
• The verification process for gang affiliation claims
• The legal basis for deporting individuals to countries where they hold no citizenship
• The rights of immigrants facing deportation proceedings

What's Next

Legal experts suggest that the planned deportation to Ghana could face significant legal challenges, particularly regarding international law and the rights of individuals to be deported only to countries where they hold citizenship or have legal status.

The case continues to develop, with Abrego Garcia's attorneys expected to pursue all available legal remedies to prevent the deportation to Ghana and secure his return to his family in the United States.

Source: ABC News