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A federal judge has ruled the prompt discharge of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration custody, finding his ongoing confinement is without lawful basis.

"Since his release after erroneous detention in El Salvador, he has been taken back into custody, again without legal justification," Judge Paula Xinis stated in her order.

The case originates in a mistaken deportation to El Salvador earlier this year, which US authorities later admitted was an error. After his return to the United States to face alien smuggling charges, he was held in immigration custody.

In her decision, the court noted that the authorities does not have a current deportation order, which prevents them from deporting Mr. Abrego Garcia "for now."

Background of the Case

The court proceedings involve conflicting claims. While the former administration argues that Abrego Garcia is a affiliate of the MS-13 criminal organization, he vehemently denies this claim.

He has also pleaded not guilty to the smuggling counts, which are part of a separate criminal case in Tennessee.

Terms of Release

The court, who was overseeing his challenge to removal in a federal court, ruled that he must now comply with the terms of his bond from jail in Tennessee. This order effectively transfers his monitoring to the jurisdiction handling his criminal case.

This decision represents a significant turn in a complicated legal battle featuring claims of mistaken imprisonment and disputed gang associations.