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

"Since his return from erroneous detention in El Salvador, he has been re-detained, again without legal justification," Judge Paula Xinis wrote in her order.

The situation originates in a mistaken removal to El Salvador earlier this year, which US authorities later admitted was an mistake. After his repatriation to the United States to answer human smuggling charges, he was detained in federal custody.

In her decision, the judge noted that the government lacks a current deportation order, which effectively blocks them from deporting Mr. Abrego Garcia "at this juncture."

Context of the Case

The legal proceedings center on conflicting claims. Whereas the former administration argues that Abrego Garcia is a affiliate of the MS-13 gang, he categorically disputes this allegation.

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

Conditions of Freedom

The court, who was overseeing his challenge to removal in a federal court, ruled that he must now adhere to the conditions of his release from jail in Tennessee. This order effectively transfers his monitoring to the Tennessee court.

This ruling marks a notable turn in a complicated legal case featuring allegations of mistaken imprisonment and disputed gang associations.