BALTIMORE (AP) — Kilmar Abrego Garcia was due to check in with immigration authorities on Friday, just 14 hours after his release from detention in compliance with a judge’s order.

Abrego Garcia became a focal point of immigration issues during the Trump administration when he was wrongly deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador earlier this year. His last custody check-in took place in August.

The Salvadoran citizen, who has an American wife and child and has lived in Maryland for many years, was released from the Moshannon Valley Processing Center in Pennsylvania on Thursday following a ruling from U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who stated that federal authorities had detained him without legal justification.

Mistaken Deportation

Abrego Garcia immigrated to the U.S. illegally as a teenager to join his brother, a U.S. citizen. In 2019, he was granted protection from deportation due to a well-founded fear of persecution in El Salvador from gangs that targeted his family.

Despite being allowed to live under ICE supervision, he was mistakenly deported and imprisoned in El Salvador without any criminal record. Under significant public pressure, the Trump administration brought him back to the U.S. in June, but he faces a human smuggling charge due to a previous traffic stop.

Legal Challenges and Future Concerns

Abrego Garcia has filed a lawsuit challenging the use of his deportation process as punishment for the embarrassment caused by his wrongful deportation. Judge Xinis criticized federal authorities for misleading the court and emphasized that they lacked legal authority to detain him indefinitely.

Now back in Maryland, Abrego Garcia reflects the ongoing challenges faced by many immigrants, especially during a tumultuous political climate surrounding immigration reform. His attorney, Sandoval-Moshenberg, is preparing to defend him against potential future deportation efforts, believing the government still has various strategies at their disposal.

Ongoing Immigration Check-ins

ICE check-ins serve as a method for the agency to monitor individuals navigating the complex asylum process. However, recent administrations have seen an increase in detainees during these check-ins, creating further anxiety for those awaiting their immigration resolutions.

Abrego Garcia, who has also applied for asylum in the U.S., remains determined as he battles through a complicated legal maze. As his case continues to attract media attention, it serves as a reminder of the broader implications of U.S. immigration policies.

Facing Charges in Tennessee

Upon his return to the U.S., Abrego Garcia was charged with human smuggling based on accusations related to a past traffic violation. However, footage from the incident did not reveal any activities consistent with smuggling. This case will add more layers to his ongoing immigration struggles.