Accused MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia cannot be deported to Uganda until at least October, after a federal judge issued a new order on Wednesday.
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, an Obama appointee, set an evidentiary hearing for Oct. 6, CNN reported.
The ruling follows her earlier decision to pause the Trump administration’s plan to deport Abrego Garcia until he is given the chance to contest his removal.
Background on Deportation Dispute
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained Abrego Garcia last week at its Maryland field office, just hours before Xinis’ initial pause took effect.
He had recently been released from a Tennessee jail after facing federal human smuggling charges stemming from a 2022 traffic stop in which he was found driving with eight passengers and no luggage.
Earlier in June, the Trump administration had deported Abrego Garcia to El Salvador along with more than 260 suspected gang members under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which allowed rapid deportation without hearings. Officials later admitted his removal included an “administrative error.”
Disputed Plea Deal
Court filings indicate Abrego Garcia was