GREENBELT, Md. — A federal judge is set to hear arguments on Monday concerning the potential return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to immigration custody just over a week after his release. Abrego Garcia’s case has sparked significant controversy regarding U.S. immigration policies, particularly his wrongful deportation to El Salvador.
Abrego Garcia, who has lived in Maryland for years with an American wife and child, was in immigration detention since August. The U.S. government had intended to deport him to multiple countries, including Uganda and Liberia, but failed to act on the one country he agreed to go to—Costa Rica. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has accused the government of misleading the court about Costa Rica's willingness to accept him.
In her December 11 order for Abrego Garcia's release, Xinis stated that the immigration judge from his 2019 case did not issue a valid order of removal. She emphasized that he cannot be deported without this proper documentation.
The government's attorneys argued that they are still pursuing deportation, despite the lack of a final removal order, allowing them to detain Abrego Garcia during this ongoing process. However, Abrego Garcia's legal team contended that his detention is punitive and unconstitutional, stating it lacks a legitimate purpose due to the absence of a viable plan for deportation.
As discussions continue, this case raises important questions about the U.S. immigration system's practices and the treatment of individuals facing deportation.
