US judge says wrongfully deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia can’t be re-detained

Al JazeeraCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete by By News AgenciesFebruary 17, 2026 at 08:38 PM

AI Summary

short article 2 min

In 2026, a U.S. federal judge ruled that the Trump administration cannot re-detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national wrongfully deported the previous year. Judge Paula Xinis stated that the 90-day detention period had passed without a viable deportation plan. Abrego Garcia's lawyers argued he was being targeted due to the embarrassment caused by his initial wrongful deportation. The judge noted the administration's unsuccessful attempts to deport him to African countries like Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana, and Liberia. Abrego Garcia was previously released from immigration detention in December. The Trump administration had accused Abrego Garcia of being a member of MS-13 without providing evidence.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Uganda 30% Liberia 30% Ghana 30% Eswatini 30% MS-13 40% Africa 40% El Salvador 50% Paula Xinis ×260% Donald Trump ×370% United States ×280% Kilmar Abrego Garcia ×690%

Keywords

wrongful deportation 100% kilmar abrego garcia 90% immigration detention 80% deportation 70% trump administration 70% us judge 60% due process 60% salvadoran national 50% africa 40%

Sentiment Analysis

Positive

Score: 0.30

Source Transparency

Source

Al Jazeera

Political Lean

Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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wrongful deportation kilmar abrego garcia immigration detention deportation trump administration us judge due process salvadoran national africa

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