Wrongly Deported Man Freed from Detention After US Court Ruling

US District Judge Paula Xinis has ruled that the Trump administration cannot re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who was wrongfully deported last year. The judge stated that a 90-day detention period had passed without the administration presenting a viable plan for deporting Abrego Garcia.

Abrego Garcia’s lawyers claim he is being punished due to his wrongful detention, which embarrassed the government. Judge Xinis noted that the government made “one empty threat after another” regarding Abrego Garcia’s removal to African countries such as Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, and Liberia.

The ruling is a victory for Abrego Garcia, who has been fighting deportation by US immigration authorities. He was released from an immigration detention facility in December. In 2022, Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador, where he faced poor conditions and widespread abuse. The Trump administration had also accused him of being a member of the MS-13 gang without providing evidence.

Abrego Garcia’s case drew widespread attention due to his initial wrongful deportation. Following a court order, the Trump administration brought him back to the US in June 2022. He has since been charged with human smuggling, an allegation he denies.

Source: Al Jazeera