US Judge Blocks Deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia Pending Further Review

A US District Judge in Maryland on Tuesday rejected the Trump administration's attempt to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia. Judge Paula Xinis issued an order stating that the government's request to dissolve an existing injunction was not ripe for ruling. The injunction currently prevents Abrego Garcia's removal from the United States.

Xinis addressed the Justice Department's demand for a ruling by mid-April, disputing their assertion that the court must decide by that date or risk the injunction being ignored. She stated that respondents cannot dictate the court's schedule or the outcome of the motion, nor appeal a judicial order that does not exist.

The judge set new briefing dates, with filings due on April 20, and scheduled a hearing for April 28.

During a hearing earlier that day, lawyers for the Trump administration informed the court of their intention to deport Abrego Garcia to Liberia. This plan persists despite a new US-Costa Rica agreement that would allow his removal to Costa Rica, his preferred destination.

Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons argued that sending Abrego Garcia to Costa Rica would be prejudicial to the US, citing resources invested in negotiations for his removal to Liberia and that of other migrants.

Another official suggested that Abrego Garcia could remove himself to Costa Rica if he chooses to live there. Judge Xinis described this suggestion as a fantasy. Abrego Garcia's lawyers have requested that the judge order his return to Maryland amid an ongoing criminal case.

Abrego Garcia's case has involved legal proceedings since March 2025, when he was deported to El Salvador despite a 2019 immigration judge order. The Trump administration returned him to the US late last spring. Over the past 13 months, Judge Xinis has presided over his civil cases, involving multiple federal court districts and two continents.

The case includes complications such as a November 2025 determination that Abrego Garcia had not received a final notice of removal required for deportation to a third country. Trump administration officials have disputed his current US status and the injunction.

Hearings have addressed a retroactive removal order issued by an immigration judge in December and assurances from four African nations regarding potential deportation.

Lawyers for the Trump administration have argued that Judge Xinis lacks jurisdiction to review the case, citing diplomatic and foreign policy matters. Xinis's order provided a recapitulation of the case history and noted that respondents bear responsibility for substantial delays. The proceedings continue with the upcoming briefing and hearing dates.