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A federal judge has ruled the prompt discharge of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration custody, finding his continued confinement lacks legal authority.

"Since his return from wrongful imprisonment in El Salvador, he has been re-detained, again without lawful authority," the judge stated in her order.

The case stems from a mistaken deportation to El Salvador in March, which the government later acknowledged was an error. After his return to the United States to face alien smuggling allegations, he was detained in federal custody.

In her decision, the judge noted that the government lacks a valid deportation order, which effectively blocks them from removing Mr. Abrego Garcia "at this time."

Background of the Legal Challenge

The court proceedings involve disputed claims. Whereas the Trump administration argues that Abrego Garcia is a affiliate of the MS-13 criminal organization, he categorically denies this allegation.

He has also entered a not guilty plea to the conspiracy charges, which are part of a separate trial in the state of Tennessee.

Conditions of Freedom

The court, who was overseeing his petition to deportation in a Maryland district court, determined that he must now adhere to the terms of his bond from jail in Tennessee. This decision shifts his supervision to the jurisdiction handling his criminal case.

This ruling marks a notable development in a complex legal case involving claims of mistaken imprisonment and contested criminal associations.