Federal Judge Denies Request To Keep Kilmar Abrego Garcia Detained

A federal judge in Tennessee has denied the government's request to detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member, while he awaits trial on smuggling charges. U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes ruled on Sunday (June 22) that the government failed to prove that Abrego Garcia was a flight risk or posed a danger to the community. However, he is likely to remain in custody due to immigration proceedings.

Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant, was wrongfully deported to El Salvador but returned to the United States to face federal charges. He is accused of being part of a smuggling ring that transported undocumented immigrants across the country. The indictment alleges that Abrego Garcia and his co-conspirators made numerous trips between Texas and Maryland from 2016 to 2025.

Despite the judge's decision, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) plans to detain Abrego Garcia through civil immigration processes. The government has already filed a motion to appeal the judge's ruling, and a hearing is scheduled to discuss the conditions of his release.

Abrego Garcia's case has drawn national attention, becoming a flashpoint in President Donald Trump's immigration policies. His legal team disputes his alleged gang affiliation, and he has pleaded not guilty to the smuggling charges. The trial date has not yet been set, and the case continues to unfold in the courts.