Federal Judge Blocks Kilmar Abrego Garcia Deportation to Uganda

Federal Judge Paula Xinis has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man facing human trafficking charges, until his legal challenges are resolved. Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March 2025, where he was held in the notorious CECOT prison, before being returned to the U.S. following court orders and international outcry. The administration's recent attempt to deport him to Uganda, a country with which he has no ties and a poor human rights record, was halted by the judge, who emphasized that coercing a guilty plea through threats of deportation is unconstitutional. The judge also ordered that Abrego Garcia remain within 200 miles of the court to ensure swift access to legal proceedings. Critics have condemned the administration's handling of the case as a power grab and a tactic to pressure Abrego Garcia into pleading guilty or leaving the country. Abrego Garcia was rearrested during a routine ICE check-in just days after his release, underscoring ongoing tensions over his detention and potential removal.