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A federal judge has ordered the prompt release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from detention by ICE, finding his continued confinement is without legal authority.

"Since Abrego Garcia's return from wrongful detention in El Salvador, he has been re-detained, again without lawful authority," the judge stated in her order.

The case originates in a erroneous removal to El Salvador in March, which the government later admitted was an error. Following his repatriation to the United States to answer alien smuggling charges, he was held in federal custody.

In her order, the court noted that the government lacks a current deportation order, which prevents them from removing Mr. Abrego Garcia "at this time."

Context of the Legal Challenge

The legal challenge involve disputed claims. Whereas the Trump administration argues that Abrego Garcia is a affiliate of the MS-13 criminal organization, he categorically denies this claim.

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

Terms of Release

The court, who was overseeing his challenge to removal in a federal court, ruled that he must now comply with the conditions of his bond from jail in Tennessee. This order effectively transfers his monitoring to the Tennessee court.

This decision represents a significant development in a complicated legal battle involving claims of wrongful detention and disputed criminal associations.