Baltimore: A US federal judge has mandated the "immediate release" of a Salvadoran man from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody, citing that his detention was unlawful. The ruling, delivered by US District Judge Paula Xinis for the District of Maryland, determined that Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia was improperly held for "third-country removal" without a valid removal order.

According to Anadolu Agency, Judge Xinis ordered that "Because Abrego Garcia has been held in ICE detention to effectuate third-country removal absent a lawful removal order, his requested relief is proper," thus demanding his release from custody.

In response, the White House, represented by spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, has vowed to appeal the federal court's decision. Leavitt criticized the ruling, labeling it as "activism from a judge," a stance the administration claims has been evident in several other cases nationwide. She further described Abrego Garcia as having entered the country "illegally" and accused him of being a "human trafficker" and "gang member." Leavitt asserted that the administration possesses evidence to support these claims and highlighted the Department of Homeland Security's commitment to continue the legal battle.

Abrego Garcia, originally from El Salvador, arrived in the United States in 2012 at the age of 16, fleeing persecution by the Barrio 18 gang. In 2019, an immigration judge granted him protection from removal. Despite this order, ICE agents detained Abrego Garcia in March and deported him to El Salvador, where he was imprisoned at the CECOT facility. A court order facilitated his return to the US in June.

Following his return, Abrego Garcia faced indictment in Tennessee on charges related to transporting migrants, allegations his legal team describes as "vindictive and selective prosecution."