Kilmar Abrego Garcia leaves ICE detention after federal judge ordered his release
cbsnews.com/news/kilmar-abrego-garcia-immediate-release-ice-custody/
Photo: cbsnews.com · view article
Judge Orders Immediate Release of Detained ImmigrantOn Dec 12, 2025, a federal judge halted ICE custody, blocking deportation attempts without a valid removal order.
Key FactsDec 11, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: cbsnews.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: cbsnews.com
- A federal judge in Maryland ordered the immediate release of Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia from ICE detention on Thursday.
- The Trump administration's repeated efforts to deport him to countries like Uganda or Liberia lacked a final removal order.
- Judge Paula Xinis issued an emergency injunction preventing re-detention, citing irreparable harm from unlawful confinement.
- Abrego Garcia has lived in Maryland since 2011 but was mistakenly deported to El Salvador and has endured near-continuous detention since.
It is beyond dispute that unlawful detention visits irreparable harm.— U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in a brief order.
Story Details
| Last Updated | |
| Total Articles | 150 |
Main Topics
United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement
#united-states-immigration-and-customs-enforcement
United States federal law enforcement agency
News on this topic
Fiasco for Trump as Judge Issues Harsh Rebuke in Ábrego García Case: Judge Paula Xinis’s ruling temporarily freed Kilmar Ábrego García from custody ...
newrepublic.com/article/204355/trump-judge-rebuke-abrego-garcia-case
What's next after Kilmar Abrego Garcia was released from immigration custody: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose mistaken deportation helped galvanize opposition to ...
apnews.com/article/kilmar-abrego-garcia-el-salvador-deportation-c6f255d11c8ce09be5e67a8df3de2f64
More articles on this subject
Previous
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be released from ICE custody
npr.org/2025/12/11/nx-s1-5640861/kilmar-abrego-garcia-granted-release-ice
Judge prohibits immigration officials from detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia: Kilmar Abrego Garcia has walked away after a scheduled appointment at an Immigration ...
apnews.com/article/abrego-garcia-el-salvador-deportation-f6d3df5d2315375dea83492858dc91f5
Judge issues order prohibiting ICE from detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia : It is the first step following a judge's order to release him from an immigration ...
foxbaltimore.com/news/local/kilmar-abrego-garcia-set-to-check-in-at-ice-facility-in-baltimore
How the Trump Administration’s Most Wanted Man Finally Went Free: U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ordered the government to release Kilmar Abrego Garcia from ...
slate.com/news-and-politics/2025/12/trump-administration-kilmar-abrego-garcia-released.html
Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from immigration detention: Kilmar Abrego Garcia has been released from an immigration detention center in Pennsylvania following ...
apnews.com/article/abrego-garcia-el-salvador-deportation-31160936c51932f74b717eb1143edd55
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is released from ICE custody following judge's order: Judge Paula Xinis of the U.S. District Court in Maryland ordered Abrego be released ...
nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kilmar-abrego-garcia-released-ice-custody-judge-xinis-rcna237431
Judge Bars Trump Admin From Re-Detaining Abrego Garcia After Release: “I stand before you as a free man, and I want you to remember me this way ...
truthout.org/articles/judge-bars-trump-admin-from-re-detaining-abrego-garcia-after-release/
Federal judge blocks government from detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia after release
abcnews.go.com/US/federal-judge-blocks-government-detaining-kilmar-abrego-garcia/story
Kilmar Abrego released from immigration detention following judge's ruling: A U.S. judge ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego, ruling the government ...
reuters.com/world/us/us-judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-released-immigration-detention-2025-12-11/
Judge bars ICE from rearresting Kilmar Abrego García at check-in: Abrego García’s lawyers raised fears that he would be taken into custody less than a day after ...
wapo.st/4pHmRQM
Court blocks immigration officials from re-detaining Abrego Garcia: A federal judge blocked Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from re-detaining ...
thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5645972-court-blocks-immigration-officials-from-re-detaining-abrego-garcia/
Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration from detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia again
cnn.com/2025/12/12/politics/kilmar-abrego-garcia-judge-order-custody
Wrongly deported US migrant: Ábrego García is (once again) free: He still believes in justice: After a Salvadoran prison and deportation detention in the US ...
spiegel.de/ausland/usa-abrego-garcia-kaempft-weiter-fuer-gerechtigkeit-nach-freilassung-a-6f6585c7-b842-4eb2-92d0-06c8cfcf6b2d
Judge Bars U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from Detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia Again
newsweek.com/judge-bars-ice-from-detaining-kilmar-abrego-garcia-again-11201673
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from immigration detention on judge’s order -- returns to Maryland home
nypost.com/2025/12/12/us-news/kilmar-abrego-garcia-freed-from-immigration-detention-on-judges-order-returns-to-maryland-home/
JUST IN: Trump DOJ Ordered by Federal Judge to ‘Immediately’ Free Kilmar Abrego Garcia
mediaite.com/media/news/just-in-trump-doj-ordered-by-federal-judge-to-free-kilmar-abrego-garcia-immediately/
Judge Orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia Be Removed From ICE Custody Immediately: The judge overseeing the case said Garcia was held at a notorious El Salvador prison ...
huffpost.com/entry/judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-garcia-release_n_693ae5cce4b053d6e8efd1b0
Judge orders Abrego Garcia’s immediate release from ICE custody: A federal judge on Thursday ordered that immigration officials immediately release Kilmar Abrego ...
thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/5644176-judge-orders-abrego-garcias-immediate-release-from-ice-custody/
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
pennlive.com/nation-world/2025/12/judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-garcia-to-be-immediately-released-from-immigration-detention.html
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is released from immigration detention, his attorney says: Judge Paula Xinis said he had been detained "without lawful authority.”
abcnews.go.com/US/judge-orders-immediate-release-kilmar-abrego-garcia-immigration/story
Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from ICE custody. And, Indiana rejects redistricting
npr.org/2025/12/12/g-s1-101843/up-first-newsletter-ukraine-russia-peace-promises-kilmar-abrego-garcia-indiana-redistricting
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia be released from ICE custody ‘immediately’: A federal judge in Maryland ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from ICE ...
edition.cnn.com/2025/12/11/politics/judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-garcia-to-be-released-ice
Kilmar Abrego Garcia leaves ICE detention after federal judge ordered his release
cbsnews.com/news/kilmar-abrego-garcia-immediate-release-ice-custody/
Immigration officials can't re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia without a hearing, federal judge orders
pbs.org/newshour/nation/immigration-officials-cant-re-detain-kilmar-abrego-garcia-without-a-hearing-federal-judge-orders
Ábrego García released from US immigration detention: His case was emblematic of US deportation policy. Ábrego García was deported to El Salvador, brought back ...
tagesschau.de/ausland/amerika/garcia-freilassung-100.html
Kilmar Ábrego García Reunites with Family After Judge Orders His Release from ICE Jail
democracynow.org/2025/12/12/headlines/kilmar_abrego_garcia_reunites_with_family_after_judge_orders_his_release_from_ice_jail
Judge grants Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from ICE custody as he fights criminal charges
independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/kilmar-abrego-garcia-ice-release-b2882717.html
Judge blocks ICE from re‑detaining Abrego Garcia at immigration check‑in: A federal judge blocked ICE from re‑detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia at a Maryland ...
newschannel5.com/politics/immigration/judge-blocks-ice-from-re-detaining-abrego-garcia-at-immigration-check-in
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from immigration detention center: Federal judge says the Trump administration misled the court, had no legal authority to expel ...
usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/12/11/judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-garcia-release-ice-detention/87716236007/
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is released from immigration detention, his attorney says: Judge Paula Xinis said he has been detained "without lawful authority.”
abcnews.go.com/US/judge-orders-immediate-release-kilmar-abrego-garcia-immigration/story
Wrongly deported: US court orders the release of Kilmar Ábrego García: He became a symbol of Trump's deportation policy: First, Ábrego García was deported to ...
spiegel.de/ausland/usa-gericht-ordnet-freilassung-von-kilmar-abrego-garcia-an-a-0dd6142d-f30f-4b56-8ee7-81b984efab4e
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be released from ICE custody ‘immediately’: A federal judge in Maryland ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from ICE ...
cnn.com/2025/12/11/politics/judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-garcia-to-be-released-ice
Kilmar Abrego García released from ICE custody: U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis said the government could not indefinitely detain Kilmar Abrego García ...
washingtonpost.com/national-security/2025/12/11/trump-abrego-release-deportation/
Judge Blocks Trump Administration From Detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia After His Release
mediaite.com/media/news/judge-blocks-trump-administration-from-detaining-kilmar-abrego-garcia-after-his-release/
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from US immigration detention, returns home: The Department of Homeland Security has pledged to appeal the latest ruling ...
aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/12/kilmar-abrego-garcia-freed-from-us-immigration-detention-returns-home
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
stltoday.com/news/nation-world/government-politics/article_a82ef8d0-487a-5461-9a3c-77fa718eb798.html
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from federal immigration detention: Kilmar Abrego Garcia was freed from immigration detention on a judge’s order Thursday while he ...
dallasnews.com/news/immigration/2025/12/11/kilmar-abrego-garcia-freed-from-federal-immigration-detention-his-attorneys-office-says/
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from federal immigration detention, his attorney's office says
newschannel5.com/news/kilmar-abrego-garcia-freed-from-federal-immigration-detention-his-attorneys-office-says
Kilmar Ábrego García ordered released from ICE custody in fight over Trump immigration
theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/11/kilmar-abrego-garcia-released
Federal judge issues order to prohibit immigration officials from detaining Kilmar Abrego Garcia
trib.al/5geLg92
US judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention: Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation to El Salvador has become a rallying point ...
aljazeera.com/news/2025/12/11/us-judge-orders-release-of-kilmar-abrego-garcia-from-immigration-detention
Abrego Garcia released from ICE custody following judge's order: "We remain hopeful that this marks a turning point for Mr. Abrego Garcia," his lawyer said.
axios.com/2025/12/11/trump-kilmar-abrego-ice-release-wrongfully-deported
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from immigration detention after judge orders his release
pbs.org/newshour/politics/judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-garcia-to-be-immediately-released-from-immigration-detention
Abrego Garcia vs Trump: How migrant became symbol of resistance against Trump administration’s crackdown on immigrants
wionews.com/world/abrego-garcia-vs-trump-how-migrant-became-symbol-of-resistance-against-trump-administration-s-crackdown-on-immigrants-1765554806980
Maryland politicians respond to order for Abrego Garcia’s release. Here’s what they said.
baltimoresun.com/2025/12/11/kilmar-abrego-garcia-release-maryland-response/
Federal judge orders immediate release of Abrego Garcia from ICE custody: A federal judge ordered ICE to release Kilmer Abrego-Garcia, ruling he was held without ...
newschannel5.com/politics/immigration/federal-judge-orders-immediate-release-of-abrego-garcia-from-ice-custody
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from federal immigration detention, his attorney's office says
detroitnews.com/story/news/nation/2025/12/11/judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-garcia-to-be-immediately-released-from-immigration-detention/87716829007/
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from federal immigration detention, his attorney's office says
newschannel5.com/politics/immigration/kilmar-abrego-garcia-freed-from-federal-immigration-detention-his-attorneys-office-says
Liberia: U.S. Judge Orders Release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia Despite Trump Administration’s Plan to Deport Him to Liberia
frontpageafricaonline.com/human-rights/liberia-u-s-judge-orders-release-of-kilmar-abrego-garcia-despite-trump-administrations-plan-to-deport-him-to-liberia/
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
dailyprogress.com/news/nation-world/government-politics/article_893a480b-920e-5446-bb05-a08ea17c348b.html
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
omaha.com/news/nation-world/government-politics/article_50211f49-0735-55ef-ac8c-ba192a20dc92.html
Judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, detained ‘without lawful authority’
oregonlive.com/business/2025/12/judge-orders-release-of-kilmar-abrego-garcia-detained-without-lawful-authority.html
Judge issues temporary order to block officials from detaining Kilmar Ábrego García
theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/12/judge-temporary-order-kilmar-abrego-garcia
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s release from ICE custody
politico.com/news/2025/12/11/kilmar-abrego-garcia-ruling-00686575
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
richmond.com/news/nation-world/government-politics/article_ca5a7cfd-64a3-57c8-be65-f1bb76d8533d.html
Abrego Garcia won release from detention. He must check in with immigration officials 14 hours later – Orlando Sentinel
orlandosentinel.com/2025/12/12/abrego-garcia-won-release-from-detention-he-must-check-in-with-immigration-officials-14-hours-later/
US court orders immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention
trtworld.com/article/65b85391aa45
Judge Orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Release From ICE Detention: The judge said it was “troubling” that the Trump administration had kept Kilmar Armando Abrego ...
nytimes.com/2025/12/11/us/politics/abrego-garcia-released.html
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from federal immigration detention on judge’s order: A federal judge in Maryland ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from immigration ...
trib.al/rFmahTK
A timeline of the Kilmar Abrego Garcia deportation saga: A timeline of how a Maryland man’s mistaken deportation to El Salvador escalated into a sweeping legal ...
baltimoresun.com/2025/12/11/kilmar-abrego-garcia-timeline-from-entering-us-illegally-to-deportation-fight/
US judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia be released from ICE detention: The case has become a key test of Donald Trump's immigration crackdown after Mr Abrego ...
abc.net.au/news/2025-12-12/judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-garcia-be-released-from-ice-detention/106134200
Kilmar Abrego Garcia released from ICE detention following judge’s order: Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s attorneys confirm the El Salvador national was released from ICE ...
newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/kilmar-abrego-garcia-released-from-ice-detention-following-judges-order
Judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, being held in a Pa. immigrant detention center
inquirer.com/news/kilmar-abrego-garcia-release-pennsylvania-moshannon-20251211.html
Maryland judge challenges ICE authority: A federal judge in Maryland has ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention ...
cleveland.com/news/2025/12/maryland-judge-challenges-ice-authority.html
US court orders release of Salvadoran deported in March: US federal judge orders the immediate release of Salvadoran immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia ...
brusselstimes.com/justice-world/1877842/us-court-orders-release-of-salvadoran-deported-in-march
Abrego García freed from jail on judge’s order: The wrongfully deported man has been released from an ICE detention center
theweek.com/politics/abrego-garcia-released
US judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release from ICE custody: The judge rules Abrego Garcia was "without lawful authority", and will now at least temporarily ...
bbc.com/news/articles/c78vz2v85mpo
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from federal immigration detention, his attorney’s office says
trib.al/nkqSExZ
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s ‘immediate’ release from ICE detention: Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to his native El Salvador earlier this year ...
globalnews.ca/news/11573409/kilmar-abrego-garcia-release-ice-detention/
Kilmar Abrego Garcia freed from federal immigration detention, his attorney's office says
post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2025/12/11/judge-order-kilmar-abrego-garcia-release-immigration-detention-ice/stories/202512110084
Paid articlePaywall
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
bostonherald.com/2025/12/11/judge-orders-kilmar-immigration-release/
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
ctvnews.ca/world/article/judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-garcia-to-be-immediately-released-from-us-immigration-detention/
USA News: US Deportation Policy: Court Orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Release: The most prominent victim of Trump's drastic deportation policy was ...
sueddeutsche.de/politik/usa-news-liveblog-li.3352720
Judge Orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s ‘Immediate Release’ From ICE Custody Months After His Return From El Salvador
forbes.com/sites/zacharyfolk/2025/12/11/judge-orders-kilmar-abrego-garcias-immediate-release-from-ice-custody-months-after-his-return-from-el-salvador/
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
trib.al/384FlRK
Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia to be immediately released from immigration detention
trib.al/uXa4se1
Judge Orders Abrego Garcia Freed from Immigration Detention: Man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, then brought back to face criminal charges ...
wsj.com/us-news/law/judge-orders-abrego-garcia-freed-from-immigration-detention-9feff17e
Paid articlePaywall
Judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported by Trump admin
scmp.com/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3336124/judge-orders-release-salvadorean-kilmar-abrego-garcia-amid-trump-era-immigration-saga
Paid articlePaywall Next
Similar to This
Previous
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's viral video of biblical song angers DHS: DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin voiced her anger over Kilmar Abrego Garcia “making ...
newsweek.com/kilmar-abrego-garcias-viral-video-of-biblical-song-angers-dhs-11276396
Kilmar Ábrego García Reunites with Family, But Trump Admin Threatens to Jail & Deport Him Again
democracynow.org/2025/12/19/kilmar_abrego_garcia
Costa Rican official says country willing to accept Abrego Garcia, contradicting Trump administration officials
abcnews.go.com/International/costa-rican-official-country-accept-abrego-garcia-contradicting/story
After mistaken deportation, US asks judge to let it send Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia
bostonherald.com/2025/11/10/kilmar-abrego-garcia-liberia/
Trump administration has failed to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Africa - POLITICO
politico.com/news/2025/10/10/kilmar-abrego-garcia-deportations-africa-00604195
Judge temporarily blocks Abrego Garcia's deportation: Kilmar Abrego Garcia is taken into custody in Baltimore as his lawyers say he may be sent to Uganda.
bbc.com/news/articles/c04ryk6ed5lo
Kilmar Abrego Garcia taken into ICE custody, but judge blocks deportation for now
nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kilmar-abrego-garcia-ice-check-in-rcna226866
Abrego Garcia shielded from deportation as judge questions legal process: District Judge Paula Xinis questioned the due process that Abrego Garcia has received.
axios.com/2025/08/25/kilmar-abrego-garcia-deportation-uganda-pause-judge
Kilmar Abrego Garcia notified by ICE that he may be deported to Uganda: Abrego Garcia, wrongfully deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador ...
nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kilmar-abrego-garcia-may-be-deported-uganda-rcna226756
Judge temporarily holds deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, man at center of Trump immigration crackdown
usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/08/25/kilmar-abrego-garcia-detained-ice/85813700007/
Kilmar Abrego Garcia is released from jail — but his case is far from over. Here's what happens next.
cbsnews.com/news/kilmar-abrego-garcia-may-release-jail-today-what-happens-next/
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's attorneys accuse DOJ of 'vindictive and selective prosecution,' move to dismiss criminal case
abcnews.go.com/Politics/kilmar-abrego-garcias-attorneys-accuse-doj-vindictive-selective/story
Kilmar Abrego Garcia could be released from jail Friday: A U.S. magistrate judge is expected to order the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from a Tennessee jail ...
apnews.com/article/kilmar-abrego-garcia-release-deportation-tennessee-maryland-9789a9ff1e8bd2dcf1e7a22d8ce2a7ff
Federal judge to hear arguments on Abrego Garcia's detention pending trial: Abrego Garcia will likely be placed in immigration custody if ordered released.
abcnews.go.com/US/federal-judge-hear-arguments-abrego-garcias-detention-pending/story
US judge rules Abrego's challenge to wrongful deportation can proceed: A U.S. judge ruled on Monday that Kilmar Abrego's legal challenge to his wrongful ...
reuters.com/en/judge-rules-abrego-wrongful-deportation-challenge-must-proceed-2025-07-07/
Judge denies government attempt to keep Abrego Garcia in detention; hearing set on release
usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2025/06/22/kilmar-abrego-garcia-immigration-trump/84231367007/
Judge says Trump administration not detailing efforts to return wrongly deported man
reuters.com/world/us/court-hears-new-arguments-over-trumps-efforts-return-wrongly-deported-man-2025-05-16/
Key FactsJudge Critiques Secrecy in Wrongful Deportation Case
May 17, 2025 · Reading time: ~45 sec.
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
Summary created with AI assistance · Source: reuters.com
- A U.S. judge expressed frustration over the Trump administration's lack of details regarding efforts to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador.
- Judge Paula Xinis questioned whether the government intended to comply with her order to facilitate Garcia's return, especially after a statement from DHS chief Kristi Noem.
- The hearing highlighted concerns that the Trump administration has not adequately informed the court and Garcia's attorneys, raising fears of judicial disregard.
- Xinis indicated she would likely allow the administration another chance to provide evidence, as previous information was deemed insufficient.
That sounds to me like an admission.— U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis expressed frustration over the Trump administration's lack of details regarding the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia.
Next