Judge Blocks ICE Re-detention of Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

A federal judge, Paula Xinis, ruled that United States===United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) cannot re-detain Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, because his 90-day detention period expired and the government lacks a viable deportation plan. Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador last year despite facing danger there and was later brought back to the U.S. by the Donald Trump administration, facing human smuggling charges. The United States===United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed deporting him to several African countries, a plan Judge Paula Xinis criticized as having 'no real chance of success'. She also noted that the government ignored Costa Rica's consistent offer to accept Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia as a refugee. His attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, emphasized that detention should facilitate deportation, not punish, and urged good-faith efforts for removal to Costa Rica. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the judge's decision.