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A federal judge has ordered the prompt release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from detention by ICE, finding his continued confinement lacks legal authority.

"Since Abrego Garcia's release after wrongful imprisonment in El Salvador, he has been re-detained, again without lawful authority," the judge stated in her ruling.

The situation originates in a erroneous removal to El Salvador in March, which the government later admitted was an mistake. Following his repatriation to the United States to face human smuggling charges, he was held in immigration detention.

In her decision, the court pointed out that the authorities lacks a valid removal order, which prevents them from deporting Mr. Abrego Garcia "for now."

Context of the Case

The legal challenge center on conflicting claims. While the Trump administration contends that Abrego Garcia is a affiliate of the MS-13 gang, he categorically denies this claim.

He has also entered a not guilty plea to the conspiracy counts, which are part of a separate criminal case in the state of Tennessee.

Terms of Freedom

The court, who was hearing his challenge to removal in a Maryland district court, ruled that he must now comply with the conditions of his release from custody in Tennessee. This decision shifts his monitoring to the Tennessee court.

This decision represents a significant turn in a complex immigration case involving allegations of wrongful detention and disputed criminal associations.