Noem condemns Abrego Garcia release: A 'new low'

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem condemned the Friday release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported but returned to the U.S., calling it a "new low."

Abrego Garcia has been petitioning for his release from federal custody since his March deportation to El Salvador. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes on Friday ordered the release of Abrego Garcia from a Tennessee jail.

"Activist liberal judges have attempted to obstruct our law enforcement every step of the way in removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our country," Noem said in a Friday statement. "Today, we reached a new low with this publicity hungry Maryland judge mandating this illegal alien who is a MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator be allowed free.

"By ordering this monster loose on America’s streets, this judge has shown a complete disregard for the safety of the American people. We will not stop fighting till this Salvadoran man faces justice and is OUT of our country," she added.

Abrego Garcia has been a target of the Trump administration in its crackdown on immigration, with the Department of Homeland Security deeming him a "known MS-13 gang member" and "public safety threat."

The El Salvadorian native, who faces human trafficking charges related to a 2022 traffic stop in Tennessee, is now back in Maryland while he awaits trial. He is moving to dismiss the Tennessee criminal case against him, with his lawyers arguing that he's been the object of selective prosecution by the Trump administration.

“Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been singled out by the United States government. It is obvious why. And it is not because of the seriousness of his alleged conduct. Nor is it because he poses some unique threat to this country. Instead, Mr. Abrego was charged because he refused to acquiesce in the government’s violation of his due process rights,” his attorneys wrote in a Tuesday filing.