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Judge Halts Uganda Deportation After ICE Detains Kilmar Abrego Garcia in Baltimore

Judges are now weighing whether the administration can use third-country deportations to pressure plea deals.

Overview

  • Abrego Garcia surrendered at ICE’s Baltimore field office on Monday and was taken into custody as officials signaled plans to remove him to Uganda, according to court filings and statements.
  • U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis issued a temporary order blocking his deportation pending a hearing on whether he can contest removal in court.
  • Prosecutors earlier offered to send him to Costa Rica if he pleaded guilty to human smuggling; he pleaded not guilty in Tennessee and moved to dismiss the case as vindictive prosecution.
  • His attorneys filed habeas litigation in Maryland, he has asserted fear of persecution or torture in Uganda, and he is currently held at an immigration detention facility in Virginia.
  • The administration portrays him as an MS-13 member and a public danger, claims he disputes; DOJ has acknowledged his March removal to El Salvador was an administrative error and he alleges abuse there.