The so-called deported «Maryland man» Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whom Democrats have been demanding the Trump administration return to the U.S., was previously pulled over by a highway patrol officer while driving a car belonging to a confessed human smuggler, multiple sources in DHS confirmed to Fox News Digital.

The sources confirmed documents reported by Just the News that revealed Abrego Garcia was pulled over driving an SUV belonging to Jose Ramon Hernandez Reyes, another illegal alien who in 2020 confessed to human smuggling across the U.S.-Mexico border.

As previously reported by Fox News Digital, Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old illegal alien whom the Trump administration recently deported back to El Salvador, was pulled over on Dec. 1, 2022, by a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper who stopped him after he was «observed speeding» and unable to stay in his lane.

The trooper noticed eight individuals in the car with Abrego Garcia, who said he began driving three days prior from Houston, Texas, to Temple Hills, Maryland, via St. Louis, Missouri, to «perform construction work.» The report on the stop states that the trooper suspected it was a human trafficking incident, as there was no luggage in the vehicle. Additionally, the individuals in the car reportedly gave the same address as Abrego Garcia’s home address.

KILMAR ABREGO-GARCIA SUSPECTED OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN REPORT OBTAINED BY FOX NEWS

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the so-called «Maryland man» championed by Democrats, was previously pulled over by police while driving a car belonging to a confessed human smuggler. (Alex Peña/Getty Images | Fox News)

When speaking with the trooper, Abrego Garcia allegedly «pretended to speak less English than he was capable of and attempted to put encountering officer off-track by responding to questions with questions.» After the incident, the officer decided not to give Abrego Garcia a citation for the driving infractions, but rather to give him a warning for driving with an expired license. 

New documents further reveal that Abrego Garcia was driving a black 2001 Chevrolet Suburban that he said belonged to his «boss.» The Suburban was identified by DHS as belonging to Hernandez Reyes, who pleaded guilty to human smuggling after being caught in Mississippi in a car with passengers from Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras.

According to another document also confirmed by DHS sources, the Homeland Security Investigations Baltimore field office further flagged the vehicle being driven by Abrego Garcia as belonging to a target they suspected of human trafficking or smuggling.

The office said that the «vehicle is used by HSI Baltimore target in human smuggling/trafficking operation. Vehicle makes trips to southern border to pick up non-citizens.»

THERE’S ‘NO QUESTION’ THAT ABREGO GARCIA ‘HAD DUE PROCESS REPEATEDLY,’ GOP LAWMAKER SAYS 

This undated photo provided by Murray Osorio PLLC shows Kilmar Abrego Garcia.  (Murray Osorio PLLC via AP)

According to police and court records shared with Fox News Digital, Abrego Garcia was arrested in Hyattsville, Maryland, in October 2019, at which point he was identified by the Prince George’s County Police Gang Unit as a member of the notorious Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang.

A federal immigration court in Baltimore further determined Abrego Garcia was not eligible for release because he «failed to meet his burden of demonstrating that his release from custody would not pose a danger to others, as the evidence shows that he is a verified member of MS-13.»

The court held that «the fact that a ‘past, proven, and reliable source of infonnation [sic]’ verified the Respondent’s gang membership, rank, and gang name is sufficient to support that the Respondent is a gang member» and that Abrego had «failed to present evidence to rebut that assertion.»

Court records involving Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez, have further shown that he is a «violent» repeat wife-beater.

DEPORTED ILLEGAL ALIEN AND SUSPECTED MS-13 GANG MEMBER TRANSFERRED FROM NOTORIOUS EL SALVADORAN MEGA-PRISON

In this undated photo provided by the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, a man identified by Jennifer Vasquez Sura as her husband, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, is led by force by guards through the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador.  (U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland via AP)

Fox News obtained the written domestic violence allegations filed in court against Abrego Garcia by his wife in 2021.

In the filing, written in Vasquez’s own handwriting, she alleges Abrego Garcia repeatedly beat her, writing: «At this point, I am afraid to be close to him. I have multiple photos/videos of how violent he can be and all the bruises he [has] left me.»

CLICK HERE FOR MORE IMMIGRATION COVERAGE

Vasquez alleged that Abrego Garcia punched and scratched her on her eye, leaving her bleeding. He also allegedly threw her laptop on the floor.

She wrote that on another day, Abrego Garcia got angry again, started yelling, and ripped her shirt and shorts off before grabbing her arm and leaving marks.

LEAVITT GOES OFF ON DEMOCRAT FOR TAXPAYER-FUNDED TRIP TO SUPPORT DEPORTED SUSPECTED MS-13 GANG MEMBER

Jennifer Vasquez Sura, the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, speaks during a news conference at CASA’s Multicultural Center in Hyattsville, Maryland, on Friday, April 4, 2025.  (Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo)

Vasquez recalled two times in 2020 that Abrego Garcia hit her.

«In November 2020, he hit me with his work boot,» she wrote. «In August 2020, he hit me in the eye leaving a purple eye.»

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Local Fox affiliate Fox45 reported that court documents further showed that a man named Edwin Ramos, who claimed to be the father of two of Vasquez’s children, filed for custody of the children because he was concerned about the children’s safety, alleging that Vasquez «is dating a gang member.»

Se prevé un incremento en la afluencia de personas que buscan dar el último adiós al pontífice antes del funeral, programado para este sábado 26 de abril

La basílica de San Pedro continúa, por segundo día consecutivo, recibiendo a miles de fieles que darán el último adiós al papa Francisco. Se espera que la afluencia sea aún mayor que la del miércoles.

En la jornada anterior, cerca de 20.000 personas pasaron frente al ataúd del pontífice, quien fue trasladado desde la Capilla de Santa Marta, donde fue velado por arzobispos y cardenales.

Sin embargo, este jueves se prevé un incremento en la afluencia de personas, quienes buscan rendir homenaje al Papa antes del funeral, programado para este sábado 26 de abril.

El gobierno italiano desplegó un gran operativo de seguridad en Roma para controlar la afluencia de visitantes durante estos días previos al funeral, sobre todo con la llegada de importantes figuras internacionales.

Entre los asistentes confirmados se encuentran el presidente de Estados Unidos, Donald Trump, el presidente de Ucrania, Volodimir Zelensky, el presidente de Argentina, Javier Milei, y el príncipe William de Inglaterra.

Protección Civil de Italia ha estimado que varias centenas de miles de personas llegarán a la ciudad, coincidiendo con un fin de semana largo debido a un feriado público.

Después del funeral, el cuerpo de Francisco será trasladado a la Basílica de Santa María la Mayor en Roma, uno de sus lugares preferidos, donde se cumplirá su última voluntad: ser enterrado en una tumba sencilla, marcada solo con su nombre: Franciscus. Tras ello, la atención se centrará en el proceso para elegir a su sucesor.

A continuación, la cobertura en vivo del segundo día de exequias del papa Francisco:

President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariffs are facing a major legal challenge from New York and 11 other states, who argue the president overstepped his authority and put the U.S. economy at risk by imposing them without congressional approval.

Filed in the U.S. Court of International Trade, the lawsuit challenges Trump’s use of emergency powers under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose broad tariffs on imports from countries worldwide.

«Once again, Democrats like Letitia James are prioritizing a witch hunt against President Trump over protecting the safety and wellbeing of their constituents,» White House spokesman Kush Desai wrote exclusively to Fox News Digital. «The Trump Administration remains committed to using its full legal authority to confront the distinct national emergencies our country is currently facing—both the scourge of illegal migration and fentanyl flows across our border and the exploding annual U.S. goods trade deficit.»

The 12 states, however, argue that the Constitution gives Congress, not the president, the power to impose taxes and tariffs, and that IEEPA was never intended to authorize trade policy on this scale.

LONGTIME TRUMP FOE LETITIA JAMES REVIEWING POSSIBLE INSIDER TRADING OVER PRESIDENT’S TARIFF PAUSE

Twelve states are suing the Trump administration over tariffs.  (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

«President Trump’s reckless tariffs have skyrocketed costs for consumers and unleashed economic chaos across the country,» said Gov. Kathy Hochul. «New York is standing up to fight back against the largest federal tax hike in American history. Attorney General James and I are partnering on this litigation on behalf of New York consumers, because we can’t let President Trump push our country into a recession.»

«The president does not have the power to raise taxes on a whim,» said New York Attorney General Letitia James. «His tariffs are unlawful and, if not stopped, they will lead to more inflation, unemployment, and economic damage.»

Since February 2025, Trump has signed multiple executive orders imposing new tariffs on Canada, Mexico, China, and nearly all other U.S. trading partners.

The administration cited national emergencies as the basis for the tariffs, including drug trafficking, illegal immigration, and unfair trade practices. The states in the lawsuit claim the president’s justifications are vague and legally insufficient.

The IEEPA, enacted in 1977, allows presidents to respond to specific international threats, such as terrorism or hostile foreign actors. But according to the lawsuit, no president in the 48 years since its passage has used it to impose tariffs.

GOP LAWMAKER TOUTS $19M TRUMP TARIFF SUCCESS STORY IN HER DISTRICT: ‘NEW MODEL FOR AMERICAN MANUFACTURING’

The complaint argues that the new tariffs were imposed without congressional approval or the necessary legal findings to justify sweeping trade actions. 

The lawsuit also claims that tariffs are not connected to any specific «unusual and extraordinary» threat, as required under IEEPA, which the Trump administration cited as its authority. The states claim the tariffs will significantly raise consumer prices, drive inflation, lead to job losses, and create widespread economic instability.

President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tariffs in the Rose Garden at the White House, Wednesday, April 2, 2025, in Washington, as Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick listens.  (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)

The legal challenge doesn’t just focus on economics. It argues the tariffs are unconstitutional because they usurp congressional authority over taxes and trade. The lawsuit also claims the administration’s shifting policy — which they claim is often modified by executive orders or social media — has created chaos in trade and financial markets.

Supporters of the Trump administration say the tariffs are a bold move to protect American industries and correct longstanding trade imbalances. 

At a February 2025 press conference, President Trump said, «We took in hundreds of billions of dollars [with past tariffs]… It’s going to make our country rich,» framing the measures as a continuation of his America First economic agenda.

But the lawsuit paints a different picture of legal overreach and a lack of transparency. It argues that if President Trump’s actions are allowed to stand, any future president could impose taxes under the label of emergency authority, bypassing Congress entirely.

President Donald Trump speaks during a «Make America Wealthy Again» trade announcement event in the Rose Garden at the White House on April 2, 2025, in Washington, DC. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

Gov. Hochul and Attorney General James, both vocal critics of the Trump administration, have frequently clashed with the president over a range of issues, from immigration to environmental policy. This latest lawsuit marks another high-profile confrontation.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Alongside New York, the attorneys general of Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, and Vermont have joined the case.

The coalition is asking the court to block further enforcement of the tariffs and declare the orders invalid under both the Constitution and federal law.