Trump Blocked From Key Deportation
A dramatic showdown is unfolding in the immigration courts after an Obama-appointed federal judge blocked President Donald Trump’s deportation efforts, forbidding Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from removing a man previously deported by mistake.
Liberal Judge Halts Trump’s Immigration Agenda
On Monday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis declared that Kilmar Abrego Garcia — a noncitizen with a history of legal troubles — is “absolutely forbidden” from being deported to Uganda, at least until a full hearing can be held. The ruling is another example of how liberal activist judges continue to undercut President Trump’s immigration crackdown.
Garcia was detained by ICE just days after being released from custody in Tennessee. His lawyers immediately sued, claiming he is being unfairly targeted. Judge Xinis ordered that Garcia remain in a Virginia detention center so he can keep access to his attorneys as the case unfolds.
Courtroom Clash Over Deportation
The Justice Department told the court that Garcia’s removal is “not imminent,” but admitted Uganda could be considered a destination. Garcia, however, fears that Uganda would quickly send him back to El Salvador — the very country a 2019 court order had already barred him from being deported to due to safety risks.
Costa Rica, by contrast, offered official assurances that Garcia could live freely if deported there. But according to Garcia’s lawyers, when he rejected a plea deal on human smuggling charges, the government changed course and pushed Uganda instead.
Judge Xinis blasted that approach, warning that the government cannot “condition” constitutional rights on accepting a plea bargain.
Trump’s Enforcement Efforts Face Resistance
This case has become a flashpoint in Trump’s broader push to enforce immigration law and remove noncitizens who break the rules. Supporters argue that President Trump is simply following through on his promise to protect American communities, while opponents use the courts to shield questionable cases from deportation.
Judge Xinis’s decision once again shows how Obama-era judicial appointments have been a roadblock to Trump’s America First policies, frustrating millions of voters who demand stronger borders and stricter enforcement.
What Comes Next
The court ordered both sides to prepare for an evidentiary hearing, setting up yet another legal battle between the Trump administration and activist judges. For now, Garcia remains in Virginia — shielded from deportation by a liberal court, despite the administration’s efforts to uphold the law.
