A federal judge in Maryland has ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn attention due to its implications for immigration policies.
In a court filing on Thursday, District Judge Paula Xinis highlighted the circumstances surrounding Abrego Garcia’s detention, emphasizing a troubling pattern of actions by immigration authorities. She noted that since being wrongfully deported to El Salvador earlier this year, Abrego Garcia had faced re-detention in the United States, a move the judge deemed unlawful.
“Since Abrego Garcia’s return from wrongful detention in El Salvador, he has been re-detained, again without lawful authority,” Judge Xinis stated. Her ruling grants Abrego Garcia’s petition for immediate release, making it clear that his continued detention is not justified.
The judge elaborated on the legal grounds for her decision, indicating that Abrego Garcia’s case requires judicial intervention due to the lack of a lawful removal order. She highlighted that Abrego Garcia’s detention was ostensibly for the purpose of enforcing a third-country removal, but asserted that the circumstances undermine this rationale. “Because Abrego Garcia has been held in ICE detention to effectuate third-country removal absent a lawful removal order, his requested relief is proper,” Xinis explained.
Moreover, the judge referenced actions taken by the previous Trump administration, suggesting that recent practices in immigration enforcement do not align with established legal standards. “The 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,” Xinis added.
The order has far-reaching implications, not only for Abrego Garcia but also for how ICE conducts detention and deportation processes moving forward. Legal experts and immigrant rights advocates are expected to monitor the case closely, as it may set a precedent for similar situations involving the detention of immigrants in the U.S.
As this story develops, further updates are anticipated regarding the broader implications of this ruling on immigration policy and enforcement practices.
