Federal Judge Blocks Deportation of Abrego Garcia
A federal judge in Maryland has issued a temporary injunction preventing the Trump administration from removing Abrego Garcia, an undocumented immigrant allegedly linked to MS-13.
On Monday, an Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent was set to take Garcia into custody, with plans to charge him with human smuggling before deporting him. However, Judge Xinis stated that for now, “it is absolutely forbidden to remove Abrego Garcia from the continent.” She intends to hear further arguments from his legal team.
This order from Judge Xinis is the latest chapter in the ongoing scrutiny of Garcia, a name that has become significant in discussions about immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.
ICE had initially deported him back to El Salvador in March, but following media coverage and protests, it was revealed that a judge had previously issued a withholding of removal order, preventing his deportation to El Salvador. This situation ignited protests and calls from Democrats for his return to the U.S.
Under pressure from the Trump administration, Garcia was encouraged to come back to face the human smuggling charges in June. The charges suggest that he had traversed the U.S. over a period of nearly a decade, allegedly smuggling immigrants, drugs, and firearms.
While at CECOT, he made claims about his past dealings with Maryland law enforcement regarding MS-13 membership and domestic abuse allegations involving his wife.
Garcia was detained in Tennessee on smuggling charges but was released on Friday. He then reported to the Baltimore ICE office, where he again came under agency custody.
Federal immigration officials presented Garcia with a choice: plead guilty to charges and serve his sentence, leading either to deportation to Costa Rica or Uganda. The Trump administration reached a deal with Uganda earlier in August, allowing for deportations under specific conditions.
Garcia’s legal team has indicated that he is hesitant to accept the option of going to Costa Rica and is likely to be deported to Uganda if permitted.
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem made a statement asserting that the Trump administration is committed to ensuring that individuals like Garcia, described as an MS-13 member and a dangerous individual, will not be allowed to remain in the U.S. Any ongoing efforts will not be halted, she emphasized.
