A U.S. District Judge in Maryland, Paula Xinis, on Thursday granted the release request for Kilmar Abrego Garcia from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.
Abrego Garcia, a native of El Salvador and resident of Maryland, had been detained by ICE since August. His case has drawn attention due to previous events involving U.S. immigration authorities. In the spring, Abrego Garcia was erroneously deported to a prison in El Salvador, despite a prior judicial order. The U.S. government subsequently returned him to the United States.
Upon his return, Abrego Garcia was detained and charged with human smuggling, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Judge Xinis cited the absence of a "final removal order" for Abrego Garcia as a key factor in her decision. She noted that government officials had attempted to deport him to various countries in Africa without clear justification, even though Abrego Garcia had expressed willingness to relocate to Costa Rica.
In her written order, Judge Xinis stated, "Respondents' conduct over the past months belie that his detention has been for the basic purpose of effectuating removal, lending further support that Abrego Garcia should be held no longer."
Despite his release from ICE custody, Abrego Garcia remains subject to conditions related to the criminal charges he faces in Tennessee.