A federal judge in Maryland has issued a court order blocking the Trump administration’s attempt to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda, extending the legal battle over his immigration case. The decision, issued by U.S. District Judge Paula Xin, came after Abrego Garcia was taken into Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody earlier this week.
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis extended a temporary restraining order she had previously issued, requiring Abrego Garcia to remain within the continental U.S. and within 200 miles of the court in Greenbelt, Maryland, until an evidentiary hearing. The hearing is set for October 6, a date agreed upon by both parties, with a decision expected within 30 days. The ruling ensures that the Trump administration cannot deport Abrego Garcia for at least five more weeks, pending the outcome of the hearing.
The court order was prompted by an emergency habeas request filed by Abrego Garcia’s attorneys, who sought to prevent his removal until his immigration case can be resolved through proper channels, ensuring his right to due process, including a reasonable fear interview, before potential deportation to a third country. ICE officials had notified Abrego Garcia’s attorneys late last week that they planned to arrest him this week and deport him as early as Wednesday to Uganda.
Despite the Trump administration’s objections to the court extending the temporary restraining order, Justice Department attorney Drew Ensign confirmed that the administration would voluntarily comply with the order. Xinis had previously emphasized that Abrego Garcia could not be removed from the continental U.S. at this time, underscoring the judiciary’s role in ensuring due process protections for non-citizens facing deportation.
Abrego Garcia’s lawyers also filed an emergency motion to reopen his immigration case to seek asylum, which was submitted in an immigration court in Baltimore. Xinis had expressed concerns over the lack of a known proffer from Uganda regarding protections or freedoms for deported migrants, contrasting it with Costa Rica’s government assurances. These dynamics highlight the broader policy challenges and legal complexities surrounding immigration enforcement and due process in the U.S. justice system.
As this case unfolds, it underscores the tension between immigration enforcement priorities and the rights of individuals facing deportation, raising significant questions about the legal frameworks and international obligations that govern such matters in the United States.