{"id":2601916,"date":"2026-05-12T20:02:02","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T00:02:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/abrego-garcia-case-at-stalemate-as-judge-keeps-block-on-ice-detention\/"},"modified":"2026-05-12T20:06:01","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T00:06:01","slug":"abrego-garcia-case-at-stalemate-as-judge-keeps-block-on-ice-detention","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/abrego-garcia-case-at-stalemate-as-judge-keeps-block-on-ice-detention\/","title":{"rendered":"Abrego Garcia case at &#8216;stalemate&#8217; as judge keeps block on ICE detention"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fabrego-garcia-case-at-stalemate-as-judge-keeps-block-on-ice-detention%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2601916&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A federal judge in Maryland rejected the Trump governance\u2019s attempt to keep Salvadoran national Kilmar Abrego Garcia from being returned to ICE custody or deported to Liberia, criticizing the government\u2019s handling of his case during a Tuesday court hearing.U.S. District Judge paula Xinis said the administration made \u201cfalse assertions\u201d about her earlier rulings and ordered both sides to meet and agree on a schedule for court briefing to address unresolved parts of Abrego Garcia\u2019s petition.<\/p>\n<p>the decision compounds difficulties for the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s efforts to remove Abrego Garcia to a \u201cthird contry\u201d rather than El Salvador. The case has become a flash point in the administration\u2019s broader third-country deportation push: Abrego Garcia has been repeatedly tied to removal plans involving Liberia, and legal complications have followed, including concerns that he could ultimately be sent back to El Salvador.<\/p>\n<p>Abrego Garcia is fighting deportation while remaining tied to a <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >criminal human smuggling case<\/a> in Tennessee, and advocates say he would prefer deportation to Costa Rica. His attorneys argue the government won\u2019t pursue Costa Rica for unstated reasons, leaving the case stalled, while supporters of Abrego Garcia hailed Tuesday\u2019s ruling as a win for him and for immigration advocates.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<article class=\"fn-body\">\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/education-insanity-top-10-stories-of-the-week-vol-25\/\" title=\"Education Insanity: Top 10 Stories Of The Week (Vol. 25)\">federal judge upheld<\/a> her block on the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/trump-administration\/\">Trump administration<\/a> from redetaining and deporting Salvadoran national <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4408934\/abrego-garcia-cannot-be-rearrested-despite-recent-deportation-order\/\">Kilmar Abrego Garcia<\/a> to Liberia, sharply criticizing the government\u2019s handling of the case during a <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/maryland\/\">Maryland<\/a> court hearing on Tuesday.<\/p>\n<p>U.S. District Judge <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4460442\/kilmar-abrego-garcia-remain-free-ice-custody-judge-oks-travel-tennessee-hearing\/\">Paula Xinis<\/a>, an appointee of former President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/barack-obama\/\">Barack Obama<\/a>, accused the administration of making \u201cfalse assertions\u201d about her prior rulings to an appeals court on Tuesday as <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/ice\/\">Immigration and Customs Enforcement<\/a> sought to answer questions about what happens to Abrego Garcia\u2019s case once he is deported by the Trump administration.<\/p>\n<section class=\"explore-more-section\" id=\"wex-recommended-widget\">\n<div class=\"magazine-container single\">\n<h1 class=\"magazine-title mt-2\">Recommended Stories<\/h1>\n<p>             <i class=\"fa-solid fa-play icon\"><\/i>         <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-grid\">\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4561996\/mullin-namse-emanuel-cleaver-blasts-democrats-dhs-funding-opposition\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>Mullin name-drops Emanuel Cleaver while blasting Democrats for DHS funding opposition<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4561855\/watch-live-mullin-urges-comprehensive-ice-cbp-funding-kansas-city-airport\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>WATCH LIVE: Mullin urges comprehensive ICE and CBP funding from Kansas City airport<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<div class=\"explore-card\">                         <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/4561195\/high-costs-hurricanes-alligator-alcatraz-shuttering\/?itm_source=parsely-api\">                             <\/p>\n<div class=\"explore-thumb-wrap\">                                                                                                                                  <\/div>\n<h3>High costs and hurricanes behind shuttering of \u2018Alligator Alcatraz\u2019 detention center<\/h3>\n<p>                         <\/a>                     <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kilmar Abrego Garcia arrives at the federal courthouse, Feb. 26, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. (AP Photo\/George Walker IV, File)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cYou need Mr. Abrego Garcia here to try him,\u201d Xinis said, referring to his <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4460442\/kilmar-abrego-garcia-remain-free-ice-custody-judge-oks-travel-tennessee-hearing\/\">criminal human smuggling case<\/a> in Tennessee.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Her decision to keep him out of ICE custody marked a second blow to the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/department-of-homeland-security\/\">Department of Homeland Security<\/a>\u2018s efforts to send him to a third country and largely stemmed from confusion surrounding a plan for his removal to Liberia. Xinis ordered both sides to meet and confer on a proposed briefing schedule by Wednesday to address unresolved portions of Abrego Garcia\u2019s petition.<\/p>\n<p>The renewed deportation effort took off again this spring after ICE filed a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/officials-grapple-with-border-policy-brace-for-surge-of-illegal-immigrants-as-end-of-title-42-nears\/\" title=\"Officials Grapple With Border Policy, Brace for Surge of Illegal Immigrants as End of Title 42 Nears\">court motion seeking<\/a> to deport Abrego Garcia to <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/liberia\/\">Liberia<\/a> following <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4356017\/federal-judge-extends-ice-pause-detaining-kilmar-abrego-garcia\/\">his release order<\/a> issued by Xinis in December.<\/p>\n<p>The case has become a flash point in the Trump administration\u2019s broader effort to expand deportations to third countries, with Xinis <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3480843\/judge-who-freed-abrego-garcia-donated-democrats\/\">serving as a stopgap<\/a> toward a successful final deportation of Abrego Garcia and the administration contentiously asserting that she is overstepping her authority as a non-immigration judge.<\/p>\n<p>President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> has portrayed Abrego Garcia as an MS-13 gang member, citing his various tattoos that are common among such gang members. And during his bond hearing before an immigration judge in 2019, a field interview sheet linking him to gang activity was found to be \u201ctrustworthy,\u201d with the judge finding him eligible for deportation to any country other than El Salvador.<\/p>\n<p>The 30-year-old Salvadoran national had previously resided in the United States illegally for years, and claimed to fear persecution from gangs back in his home country. He was returned to the U.S. last summer after being deported to El Salvador in March 2025 over an error made during his initial removal. Meanwhile, his criminal case in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/tennessee\/\">Tennessee<\/a> has been delayed after another Obama-appointed judge found a \u201clikelihood\u201d that <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/3837178\/judge-finds-basis-for-vindictive-prosecution-claim-in-abrego-garcia-case\/\">the case against him is vindictive<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In a statement Tuesday, immigrant advocacy group We Are CASA said Abrego Garcia would prefer deportation to Costa Rica, but alleged the administration has continued pursuing removal to Liberia despite concerns he could ultimately be sent back to El Salvador.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/this-country-cannot-afford-a-weak-supreme-court-decision-on-internet-censorship\/\" title=\"It is crucial for our nation to avoid a Supreme ... ruling on internet censorship that lacks strength\">court raised concerns<\/a> about those efforts in light of the same administration\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/chagres-not-ruled-out-for-july-4-shooting-suspects-father\/\" title=\"Chagres Not Ruled Out for July 4 Shooting Suspect&#039;s Father\">ongoing criminal prosecution<\/a> against Kilmar in the Middle District of Tennessee,\u201d the group said. \u201cThat case is actively keeping him in the United States and points to a lack of sincerity in the government\u2019s purported goal of simply removing him as soon as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Viviana Lozano, Maryland organizing deputy director for We Are CASA, called the ruling a victory for Abrego Garcia and immigration advocates.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cToday, Kilmar is once again able to walk out of court and return to his family,\u201d Lozano said. \u201cThat victory is a testament to the power of community organizing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3855539\/trump-administration-scrambles-find-country-take-kilmar-abrego-garcia\/\">TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SCRAMBLES TO FIND COUNTRY TO TAKE ABREGO GARCIA BEFORE JUDGE ORDERS RELEASE<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Abrego Garcia\u2019s attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, argued the administration\u2019s refusal to pursue deportation to Costa Rica undermined its claim that it was simply seeking to remove his client from the country. Xinis has also <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/immigration\/3855539\/trump-administration-scrambles-find-country-take-kilmar-abrego-garcia\/\">repeatedly expressed discontent<\/a> with the government disallowing self-deportation to Costa Rica, after Abrego Garcia\u2019s lawyers offered the country as an alternative last year.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe government is unwilling to send Mr. Abrego to Costa Rica for unexplained reasons,\u201d Sandoval-Moshenberg said. \u201cSince they\u2019re not allowed to deport him to Africa, the case remains at a stalemate caused by the government.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge blocks Trump from deporting Salvadoran man to Liberia, citing \u201cfalse assertions.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2633,"featured_media":2601917,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26132618283413.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[79570,33740,8364,57627,33211],"class_list":["post-2601916","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-abrego-garcia-case","tag-court-ruling","tag-ice","tag-immigration-detention","tag-legal-news"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/AP26132618283413.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601916","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2633"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2601916"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601916\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2601920,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2601916\/revisions\/2601920"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2601917"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2601916"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2601916"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2601916"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}