Kilmar Abrego Garcia gained freedom after a long fight. A federal judge stopped officials from holding him again. This ruling came right after his release from custody.
Background of the Case
Abrego Garcia fled El Salvador in 2012. He escaped gang violence as a teenager. He built a life in Maryland with his American wife and child.
However authorities deported him wrongly in March 2025. They sent him to a mega-prison in El Salvador. This broke a 2019 court order that banned removal there. The Supreme Court ordered his return in April 2025. Officials brought him back in June. Yet, they detained him right away and charged him with human smuggling.
The Judge’s Decision
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis acted on December 11, 2025. She ordered Abrego Garcia’s release from a Pennsylvania center. The Trump administration lacked authority to hold him without a final removal order. Additionally, she issued a temporary restraining order on December 12. This blocked re-detention at his Baltimore check-in. The order lasts until a full hearing.
Reasons for the Ruling
Judge Xinis found removal unlikely soon. The government misled the court on options like Costa Rica. They ignored valid paths and pushed non-viable countries. Moreover an immigration judge fixed a 2019 error. He added a removal order. But this did not justify quick detention.
Implications and Next Steps
This decision spotlights aggressive policies. It protects Abrego Garcia for now. Advocates see it as a win against unfair enforcement.As a result, he stays free pending trial. His lawyers plan to fight further deportations. The case may shape future immigration rulings.
