Judge Orders Release in Blow to Trump Immigration Policy

On Dec. 11, 2025, a federal judge ordered the release of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia from immigration custody. The judge said that Trump had detained him for nearly four months “without lawful authority”.

Judge Paula Xinis’s ruling is a significant blow to the Trump administration. Over the past year, Abrego Garcia has gone from an obscure immigrant living in Maryland to being wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March, and ultimately becoming one of the most prominent symbols of President Trump’s tough deportation policies. This means that not only will Abrego Garcia be granted his freedom, but, at least for the time being, he will be free from the imminent threat of deportation again.

The Justice Department may appeal the ruling, and Abrego Garcia still faces separate criminal charges, leaving the case ongoing.