Overview
- U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis is holding a hearing where ICE acting removal official John Cantú is set to testify on the government's plans to send Abrego Garcia to Liberia.
- The government urges dissolution of Xinis’s August injunction, citing a March 30 DHS policy and an asylum officer’s October finding that Abrego Garcia did not prove persecution or torture risk in Liberia.
- Liberia agreed to accept him on a strictly humanitarian, temporary basis, and DOJ submitted declarations asserting sufficient assurances that he would not be harmed or transferred elsewhere.
- Defense attorneys oppose lifting the injunction, seek immigration‑judge review of his fear claim or transfer to Costa Rica, and allege the removal push is retaliatory.
- Separate Tennessee smuggling charges continue with early‑December evidentiary hearings, as prosecutors file additional evidence including alleged MS‑13 ties and witness testimony about recruitment efforts.