A U.S. immigration judge has upheld the final deportation order against Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member and accused domestic abuser, ending his prolonged legal battle to remain in the country.

In a ruling issued Wednesday, Judge Philip P. Taylor rejected Garcia’s motion to reopen his case, citing insufficient evidence that the Trump administration would definitively send him to Uganda. The judge noted that the Department of Homeland Security’s notification to Garcia’s attorneys used the word “may,” which he interpreted as permissive rather than definitive.

Garcia, who faces federal human trafficking charges in Tennessee, had argued that his deportation could expose him to torture or death in El Salvador due to his alleged gang ties. However, Taylor dismissed this claim, stating that no evidence showed he was mistreated during detention or targeted by authorities based on his alleged affiliation.

The final order of removal now stands, with Garcia potentially deported to Uganda, Eswatini, or Costa Rica. His attorneys had previously sought asylum eligibility, citing his prior deportation to El Salvador and subsequent return to the U.S. to face charges. Taylor ruled this motion “untimely,” as it was filed six years after Garcia’s initial illegal entry into the country, exceeding the 90-day deadline for such requests.

Homeland Security confirmed that Garcia will be removed from the U.S., emphasizing his status as a gang member, human trafficker, and domestic abuser. The agency stated he will never again pose a threat to American communities.

The case has drawn criticism of political figures who allegedly prioritized leniency for undocumented immigrants over public safety. Critics highlighted the federal government’s efforts to address immigration enforcement while condemning what they describe as systemic failures in protecting citizens from criminal activity.