Judges Weigh Deportation Plans, Retaliation Claims | JQJO

Federal judges in Maryland and Tennessee weighed challenges to the government’s handling of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose mistaken deportation to El Salvador fueled backlash to President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda. In Maryland, Judge Paula Xinis ordered officials to explain shifting plans to deport him to a third country after ICE floated Eswatini, then prematurely mentioned Ghana; removal could occur within 72 hours if approved. In Nashville, Judge Waverly Crenshaw set a Nov. 3 hearing on dismissing human smuggling charges that defense lawyers call retaliatory. Attorneys also seek to strike unrelated MS-13 claims; Abrego Garcia has no criminal convictions.