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A U.S. federal judge in Maryland has ordered that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, must remain in the United States while multiple legal proceedings concerning his detention and deportation continue.
Judge Paula Xinis ruled Wednesday that Abrego Garcia is to be held within 200 miles of the U.S. District Court in Maryland to ensure access to his legal counsel. The decision follows his recent re-arrest by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), despite prior court orders requiring his presence in the country.
Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March and returned in June after legal intervention, is now challenging a renewed deportation attempt—this time to Uganda. His attorneys argue the move violates his constitutional rights and have filed a habeas corpus petition questioning the legality of his detention.
During the hearing, Abrego Garcia expressed intent to seek asylum in the U.S., following a previous denial in 2019. His legal team claims ICE abruptly shifted plans from deporting him to Costa Rica to Uganda, raising concerns over due process.
The Department of Homeland Security has made serious allegations against Abrego Garcia, including gang affiliation and human trafficking, though none have been legally substantiated. He was recently released from criminal custody in Tennessee, where he faces related charges.
The case has drawn national attention as a test of judicial independence and immigrant rights amid broader debates over U.S. deportation policy.
Excerpts from jurist.org article by Rachel Ettlinger | New York Law School, US
