The Department of Homeland Security suspected that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador, was involved in human and labor trafficking in 2022, as per an internal memo obtained by The Post.
The memo revealed that Abrego Garcia was stopped by the Tennessee Highway Patrol on December 1, 2022, for speeding. Upon inspection, officers discovered eight individuals in the vehicle with Abrego Garcia, who claimed he had driven from Houston, Texas, to Temple Hills, Maryland, to bring people for construction work.
The lack of luggage in the car raised suspicions of human trafficking, prompting the officers to investigate further. Abrego Garcia, who pretended to have limited English proficiency, also tried to evade questions by responding with questions.
Despite the red flags, Abrego Garcia was only issued a citation for driving with an expired license and was allowed to continue on his journey. The vehicle he was driving belonged to his employer, and he claimed to work in construction.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin confirmed that Abrego Garcia, in addition to being an MS-13 gang member and an undocumented immigrant, is also suspected of being involved in human trafficking. She pointed out the concerning details of the incident, highlighting the lack of luggage and the suspicious behavior exhibited by Abrego Garcia during the traffic stop.
McLaughlin criticized the media’s portrayal of Abrego Garcia, emphasizing the need to focus on the victims of criminal gang members rather than glorifying their false narratives. She urged for a shift in perspective to highlight the atrocities committed by individuals like Abrego Garcia.
The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia serves as a reminder of the complex issues surrounding illegal immigration, gang activity, and human trafficking. It underscores the importance of vigilant law enforcement efforts to combat such crimes and protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation.
