News|CourtsUS judge says wrongfully deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia can’t be re-detainedJudge states Trump administration has made ‘one empty threat after another’ to deport Salvadoran national to Africa.
A United States federal judge has ruled that the administration of US President Donald Trump cannot re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national previously wrongfully deported and targeted for deportation again by the federal government.
A United States federal judge has ruled that the administration of US President Donald Trump cannot re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national previously wrongfully deported and targeted for deportation again by the federal government.
US District Judge Paula Xinis stated that the 90-day detention period elapsed without the administration presenting a viable plan to deport Abrego Garcia. The judge noted that the government had proposed unrealistic removal options, such as deportation to African countries, without actual feasibility.
The court concluded that there is no substantial reason to believe that removal is likely in the foreseeable future.
US District Judge Paula Xinis stated that the 90-day detention period elapsed without the administration presenting a viable plan to deport Abrego Garcia.
The ruling supports Abrego Garcia, who has resisted deportation efforts by US immigration authorities, which included attempts to send him to African nations like Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, and Liberia. He was released from immigration detention in December.
Abrego Garcia's wrongful deportation to El Salvador, where he was detained under poor conditions, highlighted issues in the Trump administration’s deportation policies, which frequently overlooked due process. The administration had accused him of MS-13 affiliations without evidence. Following a court order, the administration returned Abrego Garcia to the US in June, subsequently charging him with human smuggling, a charge he denies.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
