Kilmar Abrego Garcia Celebrates Christmas at Home After Court Ruling

Tue Dec 23 2025 21:03:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an immigrant who faced wrongful deportation, will spend this Christmas with his family following a judge's order that temporarily halts his return to custody.

A U.S. District Judge has ordered the government to provide reasoning on the potential immigration detention of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, allowing him to stay home with his family for the holidays. Abrego Garcia, who has fought against allegations of gang affiliation and wrongful deportation, was mistakenly sent back to El Salvador. His case has drawn significant attention amid ongoing debates about immigration policy.

BALTIMORE — Kilmar Abrego Garcia will be home for Christmas this year after spending much of the past year in immigration custody. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis issued a ruling requiring government attorneys to explain by December 26 whether they plan to detain him again and under what legal authority.

The ruling maintains a temporary restraining order that prevents Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from detaining him as the case unfolds. Advocates, including community organizer Lydia Walther-Rodriguez from CASA, expressed relief, stating he can now celebrate the holidays without fearing sudden separation from his family.

Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen, has become a focal point in the immigration debate. His case gained traction after he faced a mistaken deportation back to El Salvador, where he claimed to be at risk due to gang violence that previously targeted his family. Despite accusations from the Trump Administration suggesting gang affiliation, he has no criminal record and strongly denies those claims.

His American wife and child reside with him in Maryland, where he has lived since immigrating illegally as a teenager. Although he was granted protection from deportation by an immigration judge in 2019 due to fear of persecution, this was overturned earlier this year after errors in his processing.

In June, amid public pressure and legal scrutiny, the Trump administration facilitated his return to the U.S. after a two-month detention in Tennessee, where he awaited trial on human smuggling charges that he has denied. This ongoing judicial saga has highlighted systemic challenges individuals face within the immigration system and could continue affecting their status even as legal proceedings advance.

Judge Xinis has been critical of government actions, specifically calling out misleading statements regarding potential deportation plans to various countries, which remain unsubstantiated. Abrego Garcia's case continues to develop as attorneys and advocates prepare for forthcoming legal battles in the New Year.