Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and why is he being accepted by Liberia?

The Government of Liberia has agreed to temporarily host Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia while he faces legal issues in the United States of America.

Abrego Garcia’s stay in Liberia is part of a legal and diplomatic process between Liberia and the United States, following Garcia’s deportation from the United States. 

This decision follows failed attempts to relocate Garcia to Uganda, Eswatini, and Ghana, all of which had declined. However, Liberia has agreed to accept him on a strictly humanitarian and temporary basis, despite his legal team’s objections and his preference for asylum in Costa Rica.

According to the Liberian Government, the decision to accept Garcia is guided by both international humanitarian norms and its own longstanding tradition of offering refuge to those in need. 

According to a press release issued by the Liberian Government, “As one of Africa’s oldest republics, Liberia has historically extended protection and goodwill to individuals and communities needing assistance, including African freedom fighters and democracy advocates who once found safety on Liberian soil.”

The Liberian Government further stated that this decision underscores its longstanding friendship with the United States, which is built on shared values of humanity, freedom, and justice.

This move by the Liberian Government received massive media coverage, as seen here, here, and here, and became the topic of discussion on every street corner and intellectual centres across the country’s capital, Monrovia. 

Who is Kilmar Abrego Garcia?

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorian national, 29, who fled his home country and went to the United States due to fear and threats to him and his family by a local gang in 2011.

Abrego Garcia was detained by police in Maryland in 2019, along with several other men, over a murder situation, but denied culpability. He has since repeatedly distanced himself from the gang.

However, following the murder situation, Garcia has been subjected to immigration proceedings, where officials believe that he was part of the MS-13 gang in New York based on his Chicago Bulls gear and on the word of a confidential informant.

Why is he being deported to Liberia?

Since the inception of the second administration of the current United States president, Donald Trump, the U.S. government has implemented policies that seek the deportation of people with immigration loopholes or suspected of being involved in illegal activity, even if it has not been proven. In the case of Garcia, the allegation of gang activity is yet to be proven. 

Notwithstanding, Garcia cannot remain in the United States due to immigration rules and ongoing legal proceedings, not because he is guilty of any crime.

Liberia is providing temporary accommodation for Garcia on humanitarian grounds, while the United States is arranging all necessary legal procedures for his possible return to El Salvador. 

Garcia, who has lived in the United States with his family for many years, has since been accused, though not convicted yet, by the US government of human smuggling and has also been involved with a notorious gang.

He, however, denied all the allegations levelled against him, and a US federal judge ruled that there was no proof that he posed any danger to the public. There is no record of any court, in the United States or El Salvador, finding him guilty of any crime.

What are Liberians saying?

This decision by the government has sparked a heated debate among the citizens and other nationals within the country.

First, according to Kool News, a local Liberian media outlet, the Liberian House of Representatives has voted to invite the Ministers of Justice and Foreign Affairs to explain why Kilmar Amando Abrego Garcia is being brought to Liberia by the Government.

Tokpa Korkoryiza, a Liberian, took to his official Facebook page saying, “Sad! The Liberian government has agreed to host Abregi Garcia, a member of MS-13, a US-designated terrorist organisation. Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr and his people are so desperate that they have started accepting terrorists, risking the lives and survival of Liberians.

Tomreen Kennedy, a Liberian journalist, also took to his official Facebook page and asked whether Liberia is a dumpsite. Journalist Kennedy wrote, “Is Liberia a dumpsite?” 

For his part, Abraham Godsent Kromah believes that Garcia is a threat to Liberia due to his alleged link to the MS-13 gang, adding that accepting him in Liberia will pose serious threats to Liberians.   

Kromah wrote on Facebook, “Mr Kilmar Abrego Garcia is a threat to Liberia. He is linked to MS-13, a gang and terrorist group involved with drugs, human trafficking, kidnapping, etc Liberia is now accepting an international drug and gang leader from one of the biggest gang groups in America and South America.

Conclusion

Kilmar Abrego Garcia is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of jurisdiction in the United States of America and is expected to arrive in Liberia by October 31, 2025.