Federal Courts Review Challenges on Deportation Case After Mistaken Exile

Fri Oct 10 2025 23:27:40 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Federal judges in Maryland and Tennessee are tackling the contentious deportation case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, highlighting immigration policy failures under the Trump administration.

Two federal judges convened on Friday to review legal challenges concerning Kilmar Abrego Garcia's wrongful deportation to El Salvador, which sparked widespread criticism of the Trump administration's immigration policies. His attorneys argue that the government is seeking retribution through new charges following his successful lawsuit against the administration. A ruling will clarify the legality of his potential deportation to Eswatini and the prosecution relating to human smuggling charges that surfaced only after his deportation case gained attention.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Two federal judges are set to review significant legal challenges regarding the government's handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia's deportation on Friday. This comes in the wake of a wrongful deportation to El Salvador that ignited opposition against President Donald Trump's harsh immigration policies.

In Maryland, Garcia has contested the government's attempts to deport him to a third country after previously being wrongfully sent to El Salvador. Recent statements from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed plans to deport him to Eswatini, as the original order preventing his return to El Salvador is now acknowledged.

A hearing led by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis will demand government officials to outline the current status and steps taken towards his deportation to Eswatini. Garcia's legal team has accused the administration of employing the immigration system to inflict punitive measures against him following the embarrassment of the prior deportation incident.

Simultaneously, attorneys in Tennessee are addressing claims related to human smuggling charges levied against Garcia. These charges were filed the same day he returned to the United States from El Salvador and are perceived as retaliatory by the Tennessee judicial system in light of his successful lawsuit against the Trump administration.

The origins of the smuggling charges go back to a traffic stop in Tennessee in 2022, which Garcia was not initially charged for. Investigation into the incident only commenced after his wife sought legal action concerning his deportation earlier this year. The upcoming hearing is pivotal in determining the scope of documents his attorneys can access to strengthen their case.

Amidst the ongoing legal battles, the Trump administration has continuously branded Garcia with severe labels, linking him to the MS-13 gang, despite his lack of criminal convictions.