Kilmar Abrego Garcia and his wife, Jennifer, speak to supporters outside of an ICE Field Office in Baltimore, Maryland. (Breanne Deppisch/Fox News Digital)
Xinis noted at the outset of the hearing that she believed an extension of the current temporary restraining order blocking Abrego Garcia's immediate removal from the U.S. might be "necessary," in light of his pending removal to Uganda, even as she stressed the information before her was preliminary.
Still, she noted the daylight between the government's plea deal offer, which would allow him to be sent to Costa Rica as a free individual in exchange for a guilty plea to the criminal charges, and the lack of assurances from Uganda, the East African nation that just days earlier agreed to accept U.S. migrants deported from the country.
Xinis pointed to the lack of any proffer from Uganda about what protections Abreo Garcia would have, compared to what Costa Rica has provided, in terms of assuring Abrego Garcia that he would live in the country freely, and that he "would have residency papers or refugee status."
Crucially, Uganda has not said that he would not be refouled, or sent back to El Salvador, after being deported there.
"There's just nothing right now on the record in that regard," she said, noting that the silence from Uganda "is certainly taken in contrast" as to what Costa Rica has offered and detailed.
JUDGE PRESSES TRUMP DOJ ON ABREGO GARCIA DEPORTATION; ANSWERS LEAVE COURTROOM IN STUNNED SILENCE
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, right, and his brother Cesar Abrego Garcia, center, arrive at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in Baltimore, Monday, Aug. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)
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"I'm going to take it from you, as an officer of the court, and on behalf of your clients, that there is the fullest intent to abide by those orders," Xinis said, before following up again. "Is that accurate?"
"That is accurate, Your Honor," Ensign said.
Breanne Deppisch is a national politics reporter for Fox News Digital covering the Trump administration, with a focus on the Justice Department, FBI, and other national news.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/federal-judge-temporarily-bars-abrego-garcia-from-deportation-uganda