Kilmar Abrego Garcia is out of immigration detention, but the fight for his freedom is far from over. A U.S. federal judge on Friday ordered that immigration authorities cannot detain him again for now, offering a temporary shield while the court weighs further legal action. The ruling came just hours after Abrego Garcia was released from custody, following what has become a highly charged and symbolic case in America’s ongoing immigration debate.
Abrego Garcia appeared Friday morning at a scheduled check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), barely 14 hours after walking free. His legal team immediately moved to block any attempt by authorities to re-detain him, arguing that such an action would undermine the court’s authority and violate due process. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, presiding in Maryland, agreed that ICE must pause, ruling that Abrego Garcia cannot be taken back into custody until the court holds a hearing on a temporary restraining order.
In her written decision, Judge Xinis stated that Abrego Garcia is likely to succeed in any future request for relief from detention. She emphasized that the integrity of the justice system depends on court orders being respected, warning that her narrowly tailored ruling should not be “so quickly and easily upended” without proper legal consideration. The decision effectively places ICE on standby while the legal process unfolds.
Abrego Garcia’s case has drawn national attention, especially after he was previously and wrongly deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador earlier this year. That deportation, which occurred during a routine immigration check-in, became a flashpoint during the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies and sparked outrage among advocates and legal observers.
Outside the ICE building on Friday, Abrego Garcia briefly addressed reporters and supporters who gathered chanting, “We are all Kilmar!” Speaking through a translator, he described the moment as one of relief mixed with resolve. He declared himself a free man for now, expressing gratitude to God and his family, and urged others to continue fighting for justice—not just for him, but for all facing similar circumstances.
While the court’s order offers temporary protection, the threat of deportation still hangs over Abrego Garcia’s future. His freedom remains conditional, tied to upcoming hearings and further legal arguments. For now, his release marks a significant moment, but the larger battle—over his status and the broader treatment of immigrants in the U.S.—is still very much in motion.