Judge Blocks Deportation of Individual

A federal judge in Maryland has dismissed the Trump administration’s efforts to deport Kilmer Abrego Garcia to Liberia. The judge criticized the Justice Department for what she termed an attempt to “dictate” the court’s decisions, particularly regarding a decision that was expected by mid-April.

U.S. District Judge Paula Chisinis expressed her discontent with the government’s insistence that the court must adhere to a specific timeline, which she perceived as an attempt to pressure the judicial process. “The defendant cannot dictate the court’s schedule or the outcome of the motion,” she stated firmly.

Abrego-Garcia will remain in custody until a hearing occurs based on the judge’s recommendations.

During the proceedings, Judge Chisinis deemed the government’s request to discuss Abrego-Garcia’s removal as “not ripe,” establishing a new schedule that includes a filing deadline of April 20 and a hearing set for April 28.

Despite an agreement between the U.S. and Costa Rica that could permit Abrego-Garcia’s extradition, the Trump administration maintains its intention to deport him to Liberia. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons claimed that diverting Abrego-Garcia to Costa Rica would be unfair to the U.S., arguing significant resources had been allocated to facilitate his removal to Liberia.

There were suggestions from officials that Abrego-Garcia could opt to move to Costa Rica, but the judge dismissed this as unrealistic.

Abrego-Garcia’s attorney has asked the court to facilitate his return to Maryland while legal proceedings are ongoing.

Abrego-Garcia’s situation has been contentious since he was forcibly sent back to El Salvador in March 2025, only to be brought back to the U.S. by the Trump administration last spring, despite prior immigration orders. Judge Chisinis, overseeing this case for the past 13 months, employs a meticulous approach to proceedings, often described in terms of “taking bites out of an elephant.” However, her pace has drawn criticism from those aligned with the Trump administration for delays in the removal process.

Abrego-Garcia remains in custody as further hearings are anticipated.

The Justice Department has been involved in extensive disputes over Abrego-Garcia’s status and the injunction enabling him to stay in the U.S. A ruling from November 2025 indicated that he hadn’t received the necessary final notice for deportation to a third country, complicating his case further.

Judge Chisinis pointed out that the delays appear to rest with the government’s actions, highlighting the defendants’ responsibility for “significant delays, if any.” The administration has argued against her authority to adjudicate the case, suggesting it falls under the president’s jurisdiction concerning foreign affairs.

Despite the pushback, Judge Chisinis continues to assert her judicial role, stating the government has not provided sufficient evidence to indicate a real potential for Abrego-Garcia’s expulsion to another country soon. Instead, she characterized the government’s stance as a series of baseless threats about deporting him to African nations.