Overview

• U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw granted discovery and an evidentiary hearing, finding a realistic basis to explore whether prosecutors pursued the human-smuggling case in retaliation.
• The court did not dismiss the criminal charges, which stem from a 2022 Tennessee traffic stop; Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty to two counts.
• Regional Deputy Chief Immigration Judge Philip Taylor denied a motion to reopen the 2019 case, calling it untimely because it came nearly six years after earlier proceedings and beyond statutory filing limits.
• Taylor found insufficient evidence that DHS had decided to deport him to Uganda or another third country, noting the agency’s notice said it “may” do so.
• DHS said on social media that the final removal order stands; Abrego Garcia remains in ICE custody in Pennsylvania as his lawyers consider an appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals.