Fate of Abrego Garcia hangs as judge grills DOJ on removal order
The fate of Salvadoran migrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains uncertain as a federal judge in Maryland, Paula Xinis, reviews ongoing legal battles regarding his potential deportation. After months of hearings, Xinis questioned whether the government has a final removal order, indicating that without it, Abrego Garcia is entitled to immediate legal relief. Despite the Justice Department's attempts to deport him to Liberia, previous efforts to send him to other African countries have failed, leading to scrutiny over the government's claims regarding assurances from Costa Rica. Xinis plans to rule soon, which could allow Abrego Garcia to stay in the U.S. pending further legal proceedings.
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During the latest hearing, Judge Xinis expressed frustration over the Justice Department's failure to produce a final removal order for Abrego Garcia, suggesting his immediate release might be warranted if such documentation is not found.
The Justice Department has previously sought to deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia, after unsuccessful attempts to send him to Eswatini, Uganda, and Ghana, highlighting the complexities of his case.
Xinis criticized the government's lack of evidence regarding Costa Rica's alleged rescinding of legal assurances for Abrego Garcia, emphasizing the importance of having concrete documentation to support such claims.
The judge indicated that the hearing would be the final one in Abrego Garcia's habeas case, stating she considers the record closed and will issue a ruling shortly.
If Xinis determines that no final order exists, it could allow Abrego Garcia to remain in the U.S. while he prepares for an evidentiary hearing related to his criminal case in Nashville.