ICE takes Kilmar Abrego Garcia back into custody after check-in, judge blocks immediate deportation

A federal judge on Monday afternoon ruled that alleged MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia must be detained in the United States for the time being, after he was taken back into Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody.

The Maryland resident, who is facing human smuggling charges, was detained by ICE after he appeared for his routine check-in at an ICE field office in Baltimore. Abrego Garcia was initially released from custody in Tennessee last week.

"My name is Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and I want you to remember this," Abrego Garcia told supporters outside of the ICE facility before he was detained. "Remember that I am free and I was able to be reunited with my family.

"This was a miracle. Thank you to God and thank you to the community," Abrego continued. "I want to thank each and every one of you who marched, lift your voices, never stop praying and continue to fight in my name."

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ruled that the migrant must remain in the U.S. for now and cannot be deported to Uganda as the Trump administration reportedly planned, until she at least holds an evidentiary hearing, NBC News reported. 

Xinis said she had power to make the decision because Uganda did not offer Abrego Garcia any specific protections, such as refugee status or a promise not to deport the migrant back to El Salvador. Abrego Garcia allegedly denied an offer to be deported to Costa Rica, which had agreed to welcome Abrego Garcia as a legal immigrant. 

The latest immigration clash over Abrego Garcia comes after he was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March, then brought back to the U.S. in June to stand trial. Federal prosecutors allege Abrego Garcia transported hundreds of illegal migrants over many years, but he has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Abrego Garcia's attorneys said their client is being held at a detention center in Virginia as of Monday afternoon.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.