Name: U.S. rights group celebrates release of wrongfully-deported Abrego
Uploaded: 2025-12-12T17:55:09.388Z
Duration: 2 min 44 s
Description: Immigrant advocates on Friday cheered the decision by a U.S. judge ordering the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego, whose wrongful deportation became a flashpoint in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Immigrant advocates on Friday cheered the decision by a U.S. judge ordering the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego, whose wrongful deportation became a flashpoint in President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown.

Baltimore

Kilmar Abrego was released from federal custody in Maryland after a judge ruled that the Trump administration had not secured a formal order for his removal from the United States. Abrego, who had been deported to El Salvador and later returned following a Supreme Court order, was greeted by supporters and family upon his release.

The case has become a focal point for critics of the Trump administration's immigration policies. While the administration intends to appeal the judge's decision, Abrego and his legal team continue to seek a resolution, with Costa Rica offering him refugee status and ongoing negotiations about his future.

U.S. rights group celebrates release of wrongfully-deported Abrego

A crowd of supporters cheered Kilmar-Abrego on Friday after a check-in with immigration authorities in Maryland. It comes a day after a federal judge ordered Abrego released after months in federal custody. Abrego's long-running battle against deportation has become a rallying point for opponents of U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration crackdown. Glenn Ivey is a Democratic congressman from Abrego's home state, Maryland. The judges keep telling him they're wrong. The judges keep telling him to stop breaking the law. The judges keep telling him to let him come home. Kilmar, welcome home. You're going to get to stay this time when we fight and we will not stop fighting. A judge had ordered his immediate release from immigration detention, ruling that the Trump administration never secured a formal order for his removal from the United States. Speaking in Spanish, Abrego said on Friday that the first thing he did after his release was spend time with his family, who he said mean everything to him. A federal judge today ordered the immediate release of Kilmar-Abrego Garcia. Asked about the ruling on Thursday, White House spokesperson Caroline Leavitt criticized the judge and said the administration intended to file an appeal. Absolutely. The White House, the administration opposed this activism from a judge who is really acting as a judicial activist, which we've unfortunately seen in many cases across the country. Abrego, a sheet metal worker who entered the U.S. illegally, had been living in Maryland with his wife, a U.S. citizen, and their children. He was arrested by immigration agents and in March sent to a Salvadorian mega-prison known for harsh conditions. Thursday's decision is the latest legal victory for Abrego in his battles with the Trump administration. The U.S. Supreme Court previously ordered the government to return him from El Salvador. Back in the U.S., he was charged with human trafficking and pleaded not guilty. A federal judge overseeing that case found a reasonable likelihood that the prosecution was quote, vindictive, and brought by the Trump administration in retaliation for Abrego challenging his March deportation. The Trump administration is now trying to deport Abrego for a second time, appealing to several African nations as potential destinations, Liberia, where Abrego has never set foot, agreed to accept him temporarily on a humanitarian basis. Abrego's lawyers said he will agree to be deported to Costa Rica, which had previously agreed to offer Abrego refugee status. The Trump administration has not said why it will not agree to Costa Rica, citing only the need for continuing negotiations. On Friday, Abrego said his fight would continue and vowed to quote, stand against all the injustices this government has committed.

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