Overview
- Ábrego García was released from ICE custody Thursday following an order by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland.
- The judge found no valid removal order on record and said his continued detention had no legal basis.
- DHS announced it will appeal the ruling, and the White House criticized the decision as judicial activism; President Trump has alleged smuggling and MS-13 ties that have not been proven.
- Ábrego García was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, says he was mistreated in a high-security prison, and was re-arrested after being brought back to the United States in June.
- U.S. officials have examined sending him to third countries such as Liberia, Ghana or Uganda, while rejecting his proposal to go to Costa Rica even after that country signaled it would accept him.