Thu Jun 26 19:00:00 UTC 2025: **News Article:**

**Deportation Looms Again for Maryland Father Despite Judge’s Release Order**

NASHVILLE, TN – A Maryland father and Salvadoran immigrant, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, will remain in custody despite a judge’s decision to release him, as lawyers scramble to prevent his potential second deportation. Abrego Garcia was wrongly deported earlier this year and now faces human smuggling charges, which his legal team argues are a pretext to justify the initial error.

On Wednesday, a judge upheld an earlier ruling that Abrego Garcia was eligible for release without bail. However, both defense and government lawyers expressed concern that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) could immediately take him into custody for deportation if released, hindering his ability to defend against the charges and potentially derailing the government’s case.

Judge Crenshaw noted the situation appeared to be a self-inflicted wound by the executive branch, acknowledging the government’s criminal case would be undermined if Abrego Garcia were deported.

Abrego Garcia, who fled El Salvador to escape gang violence in 2011, has lived in Maryland for over a decade with his American wife and three children. He was initially deported in March as part of a mass deportation campaign targeting alleged gang members, despite previously being granted a protection order barring his removal.

The government acknowledged his initial deportation was an “administrative error” and eventually facilitated his return to face the smuggling charges, stemming from a 2022 traffic stop. He has pleaded not guilty, with his lawyers arguing the charges are a way to justify the mistake.

Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Sean Hecker, has pointed out the apparent double standard. While the government readily protects cooperating witnesses from deportation, it will not extend the same assurances to Abrego Garcia. The government’s lawyer admitted he could not dictate the actions of Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, has called for her husband’s safe return, stating, “Kilmar should never have been taken away from us.” The case highlights the ongoing battle between Abrego Garcia and the government regarding his right to remain in the United States.

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