News|MigrationUS judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detentionAbrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation to El Salvador has become a rallying point against US President Trump’s hardline policies.
## US Judge Orders Release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
US Judge Orders Release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia
A US District Judge, Paula Xinis, has ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention. This decision marks a significant development in the ongoing legal proceedings involving Abrego Garcia, who was deported to El Salvador in March under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
Abrego Garcia, a resident of Maryland, was initially deported despite a 2019 ruling by an immigration judge that prohibited his deportation to El Salvador due to potential threats from gang violence. Following his deportation, he was returned to the US but faced continued efforts by the Trump administration to deport him to other countries.
Judge Xinis highlighted in her ruling that Abrego Garcia's detention was without lawful authority, granting his petition for immediate release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody. The Department of Homeland Security has criticized the ruling, describing it as lacking a valid legal basis and expressing intent to challenge it in court.
A US District Judge, Paula Xinis, has ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention.
Abrego Garcia has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging misuse of the deportation process as a punitive measure due to the attention his case attracted. Federal authorities have charged him with alleged human smuggling related to a 2022 incident. He has pleaded not guilty and has filed a motion to dismiss these charges as vindictive prosecution.
In a separate legal action, Abrego Garcia is seeking to reopen his immigration case to apply for asylum in the US. The court noted misleading statements by Trump administration lawyers regarding Costa Rica's willingness to accept Abrego Garcia, confirming that Costa Rica remains open to his resettlement.
Further developments in Abrego Garcia's legal proceedings and immigration status remain to be seen as the case progresses through the judicial system.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
