Sat Jun 28 11:40:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant mistakenly deported in March despite a 2019 protection order, is facing a new round of removal proceedings to a “third country,” according to federal prosecutors. Abrego Garcia is currently detained in Tennessee on human smuggling charges, which his lawyers claim are retaliatory. His legal team is fighting to have him transferred to Maryland to prevent a quick deportation while his case is ongoing. A judge is considering the request, amidst concerns about the Trump administration’s handling of the case and accusations of contempt of court.

**News Article:**

**Fight Over Deportation of Salvadoran Immigrant Continues Amid New Removal Plans**

**Greenbelt, MD** – The legal battle surrounding Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant whose mistaken deportation in March sparked outrage, intensified as federal prosecutors announced plans for a new round of removal proceedings.

Abrego Garcia, who was subject to a 2019 protection order allowing him to remain in the United States, was deported to El Salvador in March, triggering a high-profile legal fight for his return. After intense media scrutiny and intervention from the U.S. Supreme Court, he was brought back to the U.S.

However, during a court hearing in Maryland on Thursday, Department of Justice lawyer Jonathan Guynn revealed that the government intends to pursue removal proceedings to a “third country,” rather than El Salvador.

The announcement comes as Abrego Garcia remains in custody in Tennessee, facing human smuggling charges that his lawyers claim are a retaliatory attempt by the Trump administration to justify the initial deportation.

With Tennessee judges indicating they may release Abrego Garcia, his legal team filed an emergency request to U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland, seeking an order to transfer him to Maryland upon his release to prevent immediate deportation.

“We have concerns that the government may try to remove Mr. Abrego Garcia quickly over the weekend,” said Jonathan Cooper, one of Abrego Garcia’s lawyers.

Judge Xinis, however, has yet to rule on the request, citing pending motions to dismiss the case. A hearing is scheduled for July 7 to address the emergency request and other matters.

The Trump administration has labeled Abrego Garcia a member of the MS-13 gang and a danger to society, relying on a 2022 traffic stop as evidence.

This case has become a focal point in the debate over immigration policy and the Trump administration’s “mass deportation” efforts.

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