Today's News: Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda Blocked by Federal Judge
Abrego Garcia, previously wrongfully deported to El Salvador and then returned to the U.S., was detained again by ICE after being released from criminal custody.
Photo: KT Kanazawich/AP
Overview
Date: August 25, 2025
Topic: Detention and Proposed Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda Blocked by Federal Judge
Summary: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an immigrant previously wrongfully deported to El Salvador and then returned to the U.S. to face human smuggling charges, was detained again by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on August 25, 2025, after being released from criminal custody. The Trump administration signaled its intent to deport him to Uganda. However, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis temporarily blocked this removal, ordering Garcia to remain in the United States while she considers his legal challenge.
Sources
The New York Times - Abrego Garcia Detained Again After Government Signaled It Would Re-Deport Him
NBC News - Kilmar Abrego Garcia taken into ICE custody, but judge blocks deportation for now
The Washington Post - Judge temporarily bars Kilmar Abrego García’s deportation to Uganda
The Wall Street Journal - Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s Deportation Blocked for Now After ICE Arrest
Key Points
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was taken into ICE custody on August 25, 2025, during a scheduled check-in in Baltimore, shortly after his release from criminal custody in Tennessee.
The Trump administration intends to deport Abrego Garcia to Uganda, despite his lack of ties to the country and his stated fear of persecution or torture there.
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis issued a temporary order blocking Abrego Garcia’s deportation, requiring him to remain in the U.S. pending further legal arguments and an evidentiary hearing.
Abrego Garcia’s legal team filed a habeas petition and lawsuit challenging his removal, arguing it violates his due process rights and that he fears being re-deported to El Salvador from Uganda.
His lawyers allege that the administration is using the threat of deportation to Uganda as a coercive tactic to force him to plead guilty to human smuggling charges, offering deportation to Costa Rica as an alternative.
Abrego Garcia prefers to be deported to Costa Rica, a country reportedly willing to grant him legal status.
Trump administration officials have repeatedly characterized Abrego Garcia as a dangerous individual, including an MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, and public safety threat, which his lawyers deny.
The current detention and deportation attempt follow his wrongful deportation to El Salvador in March 2025, in violation of a court order, and his subsequent return to the U.S. to face criminal charges.
Unique Highlights
The New York Times reported the Ugandan government’s statement that it had not received official communication from the U.S. regarding Abrego Garcia’s potential deportation there, calling U.S. claims “speculation.”
CNN highlighted Judge Xinis' concern that sending Abrego Garcia to Uganda could be an “end run” around a previous court order prohibiting his removal to El Salvador. It also included a quote from Lydia Walther-Rodriguez of CASA, stating Abrego Garcia is being made a “martyr” for challenging the administration.
NBC News specified that Abrego Garcia was reunited with his family last week after 160 days apart and quoted his lawyer, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, describing deportation to Uganda without protections as “just a very inconvenient layover to El Salvador.”
Fox News focused on the political backlash, exclusively reporting a statement from a “senior DHS official” calling Abrego Garcia a “criminal illegal alien” and criticizing Democratic lawmakers for rallying around him. It also quoted DHS Secretary Kristi Noem slamming his brief freedom as the result of a “publicity hungry Maryland judge.”
The Washington Post provided an extensive “Immigration during Trump’s second term” sidebar, detailing broader Trump administration immigration policies and their impact. It also quoted Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign stating Abrego Garcia’s deportation was “not imminent” despite the judge’s order. The article further elaborated on the legal steps, including a “reasonable fear” interview, and the possibility of him applying for a green card through his U.S. citizen wife.
The Wall Street Journal mentioned that a private security firm hired by Abrego Garcia’s lawyers drove him 700 miles to Maryland after his release from jail. It also cited a June quote from Tennessee Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes, who found the reliability of evidence in his human smuggling case “questionable.”
Contrasting Details
Plea Deal Coercion: Abrego Garcia’s lawyers, as reported by The New York Times, CNN, NBC News, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal, assert that the Trump administration is threatening deportation to Uganda to coerce a guilty plea, offering Costa Rica as a deal. However, prosecutors in Nashville, as reported by The New York Times and The Washington Post, “adamantly denied” these accusations, with The Washington Post quoting Acting U.S. Attorney Robert E. McGuire calling them “misleading” and “dishonest,” and stating that plea negotiations were “almost concluded” when the coercion claims were raised.
Imminence of Deportation: While CNN reported that the Trump administration “warned it could send Abrego Garcia to Uganda as soon as this week,” The Washington Post quoted Deputy Assistant Attorney General Drew Ensign stating that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was “not imminent” despite Judge Xinis’ order, adding that “Third-country removals often take some time.”
Uganda’s Official Communication: The New York Times reported that the Ugandan government stated it had not received official communication from the U.S. government regarding Abrego Garcia’s deportation to their country, calling the news “speculation.” No other article directly confirmed or contradicted this, though all articles state the U.S. government’s intent to deport him there.
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