US Judge Orders Trump Administration to Halt Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia Amid Court Injunction

A U.S. District Judge in Maryland demanded assurances from the Trump administration that Kilmar Abrego Garcia would not be deported while an injunction blocking his removal remains in effect.

“Abrego Garcia's criminal trial is scheduled to begin in January”

ABC News - Breaking News

This demand came after ICE notified plans to send the Salvadoran to Liberia.

ABC News - Breaking News

In a status conference, Judge Paula Xinis also questioned whether the government would comply with the injunction.

Coverage noted ICE’s preparations and competing timelines around a Liberia removal.

Outlets differed on details around the planned destination and timing, with some noting a possible removal as early as Friday.

Others reported that multiple African countries had already refused to accept him.

Judge Xinis questioned the government on why it is pursuing deportation to Liberia when Abrego Garcia is willing to be deported to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica has promised to accept Abrego Garcia as a legal immigrant rather than returning him to El Salvador.

AP News

Government attorneys did not provide a clear explanation for their decision.

Meanwhile, ICE prepared to interview Abrego Garcia after he filed a fear claim regarding removal to Liberia.

Reports differ on the alternatives being considered and the government's reasoning.

Some media outlets do not mention the Costa Rica option at all.

Other reports focus on resource use and procedural issues raised by the court.

Coverage reconstructs Abrego Garcia’s path to the current standoff.

“Now 48° Tue 48° Wed 52° byANISSA REYES | The National News Desk (TNND) —On Monday, a federal judge in Maryland requested assurances from the government that Kilmar Abrego Garcia will not be deported before lifting an injunction to block his removal from the U”

WXLV

He has an American wife and child and lived in Maryland for years.

He gained protection from deportation to El Salvador in 2019 due to credible threats.

Despite that order, he was deported in March to El Salvador and detained in a harsh prison described by ABC News as CECOT.

He was returned to the U.S. in June.

The record and characterizations diverge, with local outlets stressing he had no criminal record and was wrongfully deported.

ABC reports the administration claimed affiliation with a violent gang that his family and lawyers deny.

The courtroom fight overlaps with a pending criminal case involving Abrego Garcia.

He faces human smuggling charges in Tennessee, which he denies and has moved to dismiss.

Sentinel and Enterprise

Judge Xinis noted that deporting him before the dismissal hearing could effectively end that case.

This suggests possible coordination between government actions.

ABC News reports that after a period of release, he was detained again and is now held in Pennsylvania.

Al Jazeera highlights that he is seeking dismissal of the charges.

Across reports, the judge’s immediate concern is enforcing the injunction while these parallel proceedings unfold.

Several reports situate the Liberia plan within a broader, contested policy of third-country deportations.

AP News notes that such removals have faced due process and human rights challenges, even as the Supreme Court recently allowed them with minimal notice.

Chico Enterprise-Record

WXLV reports three African countries refused to accept Abrego Garcia before ICE turned to Liberia.

ABC News specifies earlier plans to deport him to Eswatini or Uganda.

Al Jazeera and AP further highlight the judge’s question about Costa Rica—where he would have legal status—as an alternative to the Liberia route.