Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia released, but ICE likely to detain him

In the United States, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador, was returned to the U.S. to face trial for two counts of human smuggling. He has been in jail since June 7, 2025, and recently, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes ruled he should be released pending trial. However, federal prosecutors expressed concerns that he would be immediately taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for deportation. There has been significant debate about his case given the Trump administration's strict immigration policies and the complications arising from his previous deportation, which was acknowledged as a mistake by government officials. Despite the ruling favoring his release, it appears that Abrego Garcia would likely face imminent detention by ICE, as federal judges acknowledged their inability to influence deportation procedures. Moreover, Abrego Garcia's legal team is concerned that any deportation would undermine the prosecution's case against him, should the charges proceed. The allegations against him, stemming from a traffic stop in November 2022, have been complicated by arguments questioning the validity of the smuggling claims, which the judge found lacked solid evidence. The ongoing legal battles illustrate the intricate dynamics of immigration enforcement intersecting with criminal proceedings, highlighting the precarious position of individuals caught in this system.