TBA Law Blog


Posted by: Stacey Shrader Joslin on Dec 11, 2025

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis of Maryland has ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from an ICE facility in Pennsylvania, Reuters reports. Xinis found that ongoing detention appears to be “constitutionally infirm” because no U.S. immigration judge has ordered his removal from the country. The AP reports he was released today. The Trump administration said it will appeal the ruling. Abrego Garcia also is awaiting trial in Nashville on charges of human smuggling. The judge in that case already ordered that he be released pending trial. Abrego Garcia has pleaded not guilty in that case, and his lawyers are seeking dismissal based on claims it is a vindictive and selective prosecution.