Controversy Over Deportation Hearing for Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Wed Oct 29 2025 08:46:25 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Federal Judge Paula Xinis is questioning U.S. government's plan to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, raising concerns over legal and humanitarian issues during a recent hearing.

In a tense hearing, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis sought clarity on the government’s intent to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia. Garcia, a Salvadoran national who faces violence in his home country, has been granted an injunction preventing his removal. Judge Xinis questioned the urgency of deportation when alternatives, like Costa Rica, were available. Advocates argue that deporting him to Liberia raises human rights concerns, making this a significant case in the immigration debate.

GREENBELT, Md. — A federal judge in Maryland, Paula Xinis, is putting the brakes on the U.S. government's plan to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who has been living in the U.S. for years. During Monday's hearing, Judge Xinis requested assurances that Garcia would not be removed before she lifts an injunction currently blocking his deportation.

The government has indicated they plan to deport Garcia to Liberia as early as Friday, despite his long-standing ties in the U.S. and fears of violence should he return to El Salvador. Garcia's legal team argues that he should be allowed to go to Costa Rica instead, where he would be secured from further deportation.

Judge Xinis expressed concern over the government’s strategy, emphasizing the potential waste of resources in continuing a legal battle while alternatives are available. Advocates have raised alarms about the treatment of deportees to Liberia, emphasizing the country’s record regarding human rights.

Garcia's situation is catching media attention, with many viewing it as a pivotal case in ongoing immigration debates. As the hearing continues, the perspectives regarding the ethics of deportation and the implications for immigrants in the U.S. remain highly contentious.