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A federal judge has ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration custody, concluding his continued confinement lacks lawful basis.

"Since his return from erroneous imprisonment in El Salvador, he has been taken back into custody, again without lawful authority," the judge stated in her ruling.

The case stems from a erroneous removal to El Salvador in March, which US authorities later acknowledged was an mistake. After his return to the United States to face human smuggling allegations, he was held in federal custody.

In her order, the court pointed out that the government does not have a current deportation order, which prevents them from deporting Mr. Abrego Garcia "for now."

Background of the Legal Challenge

The legal challenge involve conflicting claims. While the Trump administration argues that Abrego Garcia is a member of the MS-13 gang, he categorically disputes this allegation.

He has also pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy counts, which are part of a ongoing trial in the state of Tennessee.

Conditions of Release

The judge, who was hearing his challenge to deportation in a federal court, ruled that he must now adhere to the conditions of his release from custody in Tennessee. This decision shifts his monitoring to the Tennessee court.

This decision represents a significant development in a complex immigration battle involving allegations of mistaken imprisonment and contested criminal affiliations.