Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said Tuesday that the agency would be willing to send Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica, marking an apparent shift from previous government positions in the deportation case.

Mullin's comments contradict earlier statements made by DHS in court proceedings regarding Abrego Garcia's case. The statement represents a notable change in the department's stated position on the matter.

Abrego Garcia has previously expressed willingness to be deported to Costa Rica rather than his country of origin. His legal team has been advocating for this outcome in his ongoing deportation proceedings.

Following Mullin's remarks, Abrego Garcia's lawyers submitted the homeland security secretary's comments to the judge overseeing his deportation case. The submission could potentially influence the court's decision on where Abrego Garcia would be sent if ordered deported.

The case highlights ongoing complexities in immigration enforcement, particularly regarding destination countries for deportation proceedings. Mullin's statement as the new homeland security secretary suggests a potential policy adjustment from the previous administration's approach to similar cases.