U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, on April 17 speaks with his Maryland constituent, Kilmar Abrego Garcia (L), a Salvadoran immigrant deported to El Salvador. File Photo by El Salvador President Nayib Bukele | License Photo
July 23 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Wednesday temporarily paused Kilmer Abrego Garcia's release from criminal custody after two judges earlier in the day ruled the accused MS-13 gang member should return to his home in Baltimore awaiting trial.
Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national living legally in the United States since 2019, was deported in March to a notorious prison in El Salvador because of an "administrative error." In June, he was brought to Tennessee on two criminal charges of human smuggling. He pleaded not guilty.
Magistrate Judge Barbara Holles, who serves in the Middle District of Tennessee, determined that Abrego Garcia should remain in federal custody for 30 days "pending further order." Magistrates are named by the court's district judges.
Both sides sought the pause -- the federal government an opportunity to appeal and his legal team to seek further court relief.
