Abrego Garcia developmements since early June:
Garcia’s trial in federal court in Tennessee remains active. On May 21, he was indicted for conspiracy to smuggle persons in the U.S. and conspiracy to smuggle within the U.S. over 1,000 undocumented persons. The evidence against him appears to be that from others who were jailed or imprisoned for smuggling. A timeline of the case from March to June 7, when Garcia appeared in court in Tennessee, is here. For most of June and July the Garcia case was out of the news, while the trial was being prepared.
July 23: Maryland Federal district court judge Xinis ruled that Garcia must be released from ICE custody in Tennessee and that 72 hours’ notice must be given prior to deporting him.
August 22: a federal magistrate Barbara D. Holmes in Tennessee ordered Garcia to be released from federal custody that day and allowed to travel to Maryland, then to be taken into ICE custody. This happened.
Xinis subsequently set a hearing on October 6. Xinis said that she wanted to be sure that ICE’s actions comply with due process.
On August 22, DHS Secretary Noem twitted (referring to Xinis): “Activist liberal judges have attempted to obstruct our law enforcement every step of the way in removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from our country. Today, we reached a new low with this publicity hungry Maryland judge mandating this illegal alien who is a MS-13 gang member, human trafficker, serial domestic abuser, and child predator be allowed free. By ordering this monster loose on America’s streets, this judge has shown a complete disregard for the safety of the American people. We will not stop fighting till this Salvadoran man faces justice and is OUT of our country,” she continued.”
ICE at some point arranged for Garcia to be deported to Costa Rica.
August 23 Garcia’s lawyers submitted to Judge Xinis a statement that the government was attempting to coerce Garcia to admit to the Tennessee charges. After his August 22 release from detention, the government allegedly changed his deportation destination from Costa Rica to Uganda and demanded he accept a guilty plea by August 25 or face removal to Uganda.
August 25 Having returned to Maryland, Garcia showed up at an immigration interview and was arrested by ICE and put back into custody.
August 26, Garcia’s lawyers asked Judge Xinis to protect his stay in the U.S. while he appeals to an immigration judge, seeking asylum.
The next chapter in this story appears to take place on October 6.