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A federal judge has ordered the prompt discharge of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from detention by ICE, concluding his continued detainment lacks lawful basis.

"Since Abrego Garcia's release after wrongful detention in El Salvador, he has been re-detained, again without lawful authority," Judge Paula Xinis wrote in her ruling.

The situation stems from a erroneous removal to El Salvador earlier this year, which the government later acknowledged was an mistake. Following his return to the United States to answer human smuggling charges, he was detained in federal detention.

In her decision, the judge noted that the government lacks a valid deportation order, which effectively blocks them from removing Mr. Abrego Garcia "for now."

Context of the Legal Challenge

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

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

Conditions of Freedom

The judge, who was overseeing his petition to deportation in a Maryland district court, determined that he must now adhere to the conditions of his bond from custody in Tennessee. This decision effectively transfers his supervision to the Tennessee court.

This decision represents a significant development in a complicated immigration case involving allegations of mistaken imprisonment and contested gang affiliations.