Overview
- U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis said the absence of a clearly documented final removal order could warrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release and took the matter under advisement without a bench ruling.
- ICE acting official John Cantú testified he did not draft or fully understand his sworn declaration, saying a State Department attorney supplied language after a brief call, drawing sharp criticism from the court.
- The Justice Department asked Xinis to lift her injunction to allow removal to Liberia, citing assurances that Liberia would accept Abrego Garcia on a temporary humanitarian basis and would not refoul him.
- Defense lawyers urged use of Costa Rica, which previously indicated it would grant legal status, and the judge noted the government offered no solid evidence that Costa Rica is no longer an option.
- The immigration injunction remains in effect as Abrego Garcia contests detention, while his separate human-smuggling case in Tennessee heads to early-December evidentiary hearings on claims of vindictive or selective prosecution.