Trump administration seeks to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia while his criminal case is pending in Tennessee

Federal judge Paula Xinis questioned Department of Justice attorneys on Tuesday about their push to deport Salvadoran immigrant Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia while he faces pending human smuggling charges in Tennessee. The government is seeking to dissolve a preliminary injunction that bars Abrego Garcia's re-detention and deportation, despite his ongoing criminal prosecution. Abrego Garcia was previously wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March 2024 in violation of a 2019 court order, then brought back to the U.S. in June to face criminal charges.