Abrego Garcia’s attorneys request that a US judge mandate a return to Maryland during the active criminal proceedings.

Emergency Motion Filed for Salvadorean Immigration Lawyer’s Return

An immigration lawyer from El Salvador, Kilmer Abrego Garcia, filed an urgent request on Thursday, seeking a federal judge’s order to ensure his return to Maryland. He also wants to prevent ICE officials from deporting him while he still faces criminal charges in Tennessee.

In this emergency filing, Abrego Garcia’s attorney urged U.S. District Judge Puara Sinis to ensure he is returned to the Maryland district immediately after his release from custody. The attorney emphasized that he should not be moved out of the country or to any location outside of Maryland before the pending criminal trial takes place in Tennessee.

This legal action represents the latest development in a protracted struggle concerning the deportation status of Salvadorean immigrants.

Abrego Garcia’s legal team clarified that he isn’t contesting a criminal case in Tennessee, stating this issue is distinct from a civil lawsuit addressed by Judge Xinis earlier this year. In that case, Trump officials had pointed to administrative errors when they ordered his return from El Salvador.

Since his deportation in March, a lengthy court battle began to facilitate his return to U.S. soil, despite both a federal court ruling and a Supreme Court directive mandating his repatriation. Ultimately, after facing extended delays and threats from federal judges in Maryland, the government complied.

However, upon his return, he was placed into custody on suspicion of a federal offense that arose during a traffic stop in 2022. There seems to be an ongoing investigation, and it appears there’s been an indictment in his case, with a judge involved in that process since May 21, 2025.

Abrego Garcia’s lawyers mentioned in their motion that they believe he should be allowed to return to his district, barring any necessary travel to Tennessee for court proceedings.

These remarks were made shortly after a federal magistrate judge in Tennessee ordered his release until the criminal trial. Judge Barbara Holmes expressed concerns during the arrest hearing, with government representatives claiming Abrego Garcia could potentially flee or hinder justice if released prematurely while facing these charges.

Moreover, the Trump administration has consistently aimed to ensure that Abrego Garcia would not be released from federal custody, implementing new emergency measures in light of the situation.