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A federal judge has ruled the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from detention by ICE, finding his continued detainment is without legal authority.

"Since his return from wrongful detention in El Salvador, he has been taken back into custody, again without lawful authority," Judge Paula Xinis wrote in her order.

The case originates in a mistaken removal to El Salvador in March, which the government later acknowledged was an mistake. Following his return to the United States to face human smuggling charges, he was detained in federal custody.

In her decision, the judge pointed out that the government does not have a current removal order, which prevents them from removing Mr. Abrego Garcia "for now."

Context of the Legal Challenge

The legal proceedings center on disputed claims. While the Trump administration contends that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 criminal organization, he vehemently denies this allegation.

He has also entered a not guilty plea to the smuggling charges, which are part of a ongoing criminal case in Tennessee.

Terms of Freedom

The court, who was overseeing his petition to removal in a federal court, determined that he must now comply with the conditions of his release from jail in Tennessee. This decision shifts his supervision to the jurisdiction handling his criminal case.

This ruling represents a notable development in a complicated immigration case featuring allegations of mistaken imprisonment and contested gang affiliations.