🔗 Share this article US Judge Orders Freedom of Abrego Garcia from Immigration Custody A federal judge has ordered the immediate discharge of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration custody, concluding his continued confinement lacks lawful basis. "Since his return from erroneous detention in El Salvador, he has been taken back into custody, again without legal justification," Judge Paula Xinis wrote in her ruling. The situation originates in a erroneous deportation to El Salvador earlier this year, which the government later admitted was an error. Following his repatriation to the United States to face human smuggling charges, he was detained in federal custody. In her order, the judge noted that the government does not have a current deportation order, which prevents them from deporting Mr. Abrego Garcia "at this time." Background of the Case The court proceedings involve conflicting claims. Whereas the Trump administration argues that Abrego Garcia is a affiliate of the MS-13 criminal organization, he vehemently disputes this claim. He has also entered a not guilty plea to the smuggling charges, which are part of a ongoing criminal case in Tennessee. Conditions of Release The court, who was overseeing his challenge to removal in a Maryland district court, determined that he must now adhere to the terms of his release from jail in Tennessee. This order effectively transfers his monitoring to the jurisdiction handling his criminal case. This ruling represents a significant development in a complex immigration case involving allegations of mistaken imprisonment and disputed criminal affiliations.