** *"Federal Judge Blocks Abrego Garcia’s Deportation to Uganda Amid Human Trafficking Charges"* **

**CATEGORY:** Immigration

**TAGS:** deportation, ICE, human trafficking, El Salvador, Uganda

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### **Federal Judge Blocks Abrego Garcia’s Deportation to Uganda Amid Human Trafficking Charges**

A federal judge has temporarily blocked the U.S. government from deporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Uganda, following his arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a mandatory check-in on Monday. Abrego Garcia, who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March and later returned to the U.S., faces human trafficking charges and has refused a plea deal that would have sent him to Costa Rica instead.

At a hearing Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis halted the deportation, citing concerns that the government had not proven Abrego Garcia would be safe in Uganda. She also questioned the legality of conditioning his deportation on whether he pleads guilty, stating, *"You can’t condition the relinquishment of constitutional rights in that regard."*

### **Background of the Case**
Abrego Garcia was detained Monday morning after arriving at an ICE field office in Baltimore, where he addressed supporters before being taken into custody. His lawyers argue that his detention is punitive, as he was under ankle monitoring and compliant with court orders.

The Trump administration has accused Abrego Garcia of human trafficking and domestic abuse, sharing a stylized image of him on social media with "MS-13" written below. However, his legal team claims the government is pressuring him to accept a plea deal by threatening re-deportation to Uganda.

### **Judge Orders Briefs Ahead of Potential Hearing**
Judge Xinis ordered both parties to submit briefs this week before a potential hearing, emphasizing that existing court orders bar Abrego Garcia’s deportation from the continental U.S. until Wednesday afternoon. She also requested that ICE keep him within 200 miles of the court to ensure access to legal proceedings.

The case highlights ongoing controversies over the Trump administration’s deportation policies, including recent agreements with Uganda and Honduras to accept deportees. Uganda has stated a preference for African nationals and refuses those with criminal records or unaccompanied minors, raising questions about whether Abrego Garcia qualifies for deportation there.

For now, Abrego Garcia remains in a Virginia detention facility as the legal battle over his fate continues.