Federal judge blocks Kilmar Abrego Garcia's deportation until at least October

A federal judge on Wednesday blocked Kilmar Abrego Garcia's deportation until at least October.

U.S. District Judge for the District of Maryland Paula Xinis, an Obama appointee, said Wednesday she will extend the temporary restraining order blocking Abrego Garcia's removal until his latest deportation challenge in court is resolved, ABC News reported.

Xinis scheduled an evidentiary hearing for Oct. 6 in the case challenging his deportation to Uganda. She said during Wednesday's hearing that she will issue a ruling within 30 days of the Oct. 6 hearing.

Abrego Garcia, who is currently being held in a detention center in Virginia, must remain in custody within a 200-mile radius of the Maryland court, Xinis said. She added that she will not order him to be released from immigration custody, as that should be decided by an immigration judge.

Abrego Garcia's lawyers said Wednesday in federal court that he is seeking asylum in the U.S. as he faces deportation to Uganda.

He is a Salvadoran national, and his lawyers have argued that he has the right to express fear of persecution and torture in Uganda. Abrego Garcia has also told immigration officials that he would prefer to be sent to Costa Rica if he must be deported.