# Do we know \*WHY\* Kilmar Abrego Garcia? **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Tags:** trump\ **Created:** [July 7, 2025, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599 "2025-07-07T17:22:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/41 "2025-07-11T15:52:46Z")
Yes, because a fair trial will be _only_ theoretical. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/42 "2025-07-11T16:11:33Z")
My guess is that they think if he’s free and still in the United States, he will be interviewed, probably on television, and it will be obvious that he was railroaded. That he is innocent of anything illegal. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/43 "2025-07-11T16:18:45Z")
I think it sounds odd is because of circumstances that aren’t always clear to the reporter or the public - for example, what the court decsion actually says is > For the reasons detailed above, the government’s motion for detention (Docket No. 8) is > DENIED. A separate order will enter, following hearing, directing Abrego’s release on conditions. which sounds like the judge ordered his release. But she didn’t exactly - she denied the government’s motion for detention and ordered his release _on the case before her_, which is the criminal case. That doesn’t impact any other reasons why he might remain in custody. In this case, he willl almost certainly remain in custody due to his immigration case but it could also have been a state case. So it’s not exactly that he can be released if the government chooses to release him - it’s that he will be released if any other detainers are lifted. Which is not going to happen in this case, of course, but there are other situations where it might. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/44 "2025-07-11T16:22:39Z")
I read someplace that a judge ordered he be held simply because he was protected from immediate deportation while in custody. In short, no one trusts ICE to do what’s right. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/45 "2025-07-11T20:36:38Z")
> [@crowmanyclouds](#): > > You don’t need to see KAG’s hands you only have to see the photo, > > [https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/74RGMC6yyqczniPTWEyQIQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/thewrap.com/724aff136f2f1a50fc01dccd1aadb0f2](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/74RGMC6yyqczniPTWEyQIQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/thewrap.com/724aff136f2f1a50fc01dccd1aadb0f2) > > and then ask ‘who puts annotation above and below their symbolic tattoos?’ What proof do we actually have that that is attached to Abrego Garcia? ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/46 "2025-07-11T20:51:50Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > What proof do we actually have that that is attached to Abrego Garcia? Here is a picture of him: [![](https://wjla.com/resources/media2/original/full/1366/center/80/7066d966-b4c5-484e-bb66-09ac421ee8a6-GoxxScKXcAELfeE.jpg) ](https://wjla.com/resources/media2/original/full/1366/center/80/7066d966-b4c5-484e-bb66-09ac421ee8a6-GoxxScKXcAELfeE.jpg) If you zoom in on the photo you can see (not great quality but you can still see) the knuckle tattoos from the other photo. [![](https://images.wsj.net/im-56332863?height=900) ](https://images.wsj.net/im-56332863?height=900) Funny enough, I don’t see “MS13” even though it should be in dark bold clear font… 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/47 "2025-07-11T20:56:03Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > What proof do we actually have that that is attached to Abrego Garcia? Other photos of him show the tattoos clearly. See, for instance: > **[Trump Has Made Claims About Abrego Garcia’s Tattoos. Here’s a Closer Look.](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/us/kilmar-abrego-garcia-tattoos-ms-13.html)** > > Gang experts say the tattoos on Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s knuckles are unlikely to signify gang membership. The president says otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/48 "2025-07-11T21:05:07Z")
Although the federal government has had MS13 leaders in custody, the Trump administration has returned those leaders to El Salvador, perhaps to prevent them from revealing that the gang had a deal with Nayib Bukele, president of El Salvador. [Gift link to New York Times article](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/30/us/politics/trump-bukele-ms-13-immigrants.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Vk8.7jlN.xM0vr0vTlf67&smid=url-share) about this corrupt deal. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/49 "2025-07-11T21:07:47Z")
> [@Peter\_Morris](#): > > > Gang experts say the tattoos on Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s knuckles are unlikely to signify gang membership. The president says otherwise. To be fair, Trump does have a lot of experience dealing with gangs of criminals. (They usually work for him.) ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/50 "2025-07-11T21:24:58Z")
I didn’t think I needed the “/s” at the end of that post. I was trying to mimic a typical MAGA conspiracy theorist about how there must be phototrickery if a picture doesn’t support something Trump said. Apologies to you and @Atamasama for the confusion. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/51 "2025-07-11T21:26:34Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Apologies to you and @Atamasama for the confusion. I assumed you were being sarcastic actually (and should have made it clear), but still thought it was useful to show that there is actual evidence and analysis of his tattoos outside of the picture Trump had. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/52 "2025-07-11T21:32:07Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I was trying to mimic a typical MAGA conspiracy theorist You didn’t do it very well. A MAGA CT would declare that of course the photo with MS13 added is real. I thought you were asking just how fake the photo is, and whether even the tattoos are real. That wouldn’t be an unreasonable question. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/53 "2025-07-11T21:40:18Z")
I’ve never been a great actor, and it’s nigh-impossible for me to get into the MAGA mindset. ---
**Author:** ![Love\_Rhombus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/love_rhombus/32/10694_2.png) [@Love\_Rhombus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Love_Rhombus)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2025, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/54 "2025-07-11T22:28:14Z")
Apparently the guards on El Salvador were separating the prisoners between gang and non-gang members, and Garcia went to the non-gang section. Not sure where I read this, but I will check. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/55 "2025-08-22T20:30:39Z")
[Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been released from criminal custody, 5 months after he was unlawfully deported | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/22/politics/kilmar-abrego-garcia-release) mr garcia is heading home to his family in maryland. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 22, 2025, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/56 "2025-08-22T20:35:59Z")
That’s good but they are _still_ going to prosecute him for human trafficking. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 10:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/57 "2025-08-23T10:36:51Z")
By which they appear to mean ‘giving undocumented people rides to work.’ ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 12:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/58 "2025-08-23T12:12:51Z")
But the buses that Abbot and DeSantos keep on sending? For some reason, nobody calls that human trafficking. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/59 "2025-08-23T16:42:03Z")
And now the administration is threatening to deport him again…. To Uganda this time. On Monday. Why him? To set an example for others. To show “This can happen to YOU.” To keep people (especially immigrants) in a perpetual state of fear. This is how totalitarian dictatorships WORK. Don’t be surprised to see them act exactly this way. It’s going to get worse. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [August 23, 2025, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599/60 "2025-08-23T19:02:20Z")
According to the [LegalAF YouTube channel](https://youtu.be/K8r4wAbCI3w?si=obU9sFk4cWLSs7s8), the government offered Abrego Garcia the opportunity, if he pled guilty to the charges in Tennessee, of being sent to Costa Rica. He refused. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-we-know-why-kilmar-abrego-garcia/1020599.md?page=4)