PHILIPSBURG, Pa. — Kilmar Abrego Garcia walked out of immigration detention Thursday afternoon, a significant win for the Salvadoran national fighting to stay in the United States after being wrongfully deported. A U.S. District Court judge ordered his immediate release, asserting that federal authorities had acted without proper legal justification in detaining him again upon his return to the country.

Judge Paula Xinis’s order came just before a 5 p.m. deadline set for the government to respond regarding Abrego Garcia’s release. Abrego Garcia’s attorney, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, confirmed his client’s return to Maryland, where he resides with his American wife and child. He had entered the U.S. illegally as a teenager and has lived there for several years.

Prior to his release, Abrego Garcia was held at the Moshannon Valley Processing Center, located roughly 115 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. While Sandoval-Moshenberg expressed uncertainty about the next steps, he emphasized his readiness to challenge any future deportation attempts against Abrego Garcia.

Despite the ruling, the Department of Homeland Security condemned the judge’s decision, labeling it as excessive judicial interference. Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary for the department, stated that they would vigorously pursue appeals, arguing the order was devoid of any valid legal foundation.

Sandoval-Moshenberg noted that the judge underscored the limits of government authority, stating it cannot indefinitely detain individuals without proper legal backing. He expressed concern over the treatment his client has faced, saying that Abrego Garcia “has endured more than anyone should ever have to.”

Abrego Garcia’s tumultuous journey has drawn attention to immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration. The presidential administration previously attempted to deport him to El Salvador, even though he had been granted reprieve due to credible threats from gangs targeting his family there. After being mistakenly sent to El Salvador in March, his case became emblematic of perceived injustices in immigration policy.

According to records, Abrego Garcia cannot be deported back to El Salvador and instead has faced efforts targeting various countries for his removal. These attempts have raised questions regarding the government’s handling of deportation protocols. The judge highlighted that officials had misled the court about the prospects for deportation and the countries involved.

In addition to his immigration challenges, Abrego Garcia is also facing criminal charges in Tennessee, where he has pleaded not guilty to human smuggling. He has sought to dismiss those charges, contending they are politically motivated as a form of retaliation following his successful legal battles regarding immigration enforcement. A judge in his criminal case has noted the potential for vindictiveness in the charges, prompting an evidentiary hearing to examine the matter further.

Abrego Garcia’s legal battles reflect broader tensions surrounding immigration policy and enforcement in the U.S., particularly under the previous administration, and highlight ongoing discussions about deportation practices and the rights of individuals caught in complex immigration scenarios.