Abrego Garcia (AP)
A federal judge in the United States has temporarily blocked the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man previously removed from the country under the Trump administration, and has scheduled an evidentiary hearing for October 6.US district judge Paula Xinis on Wednesday ordered that Abrego Garcia remain in the US until she rules on the matter, which is expected within 30 days of the hearing. He is currently in the custody of immigration and customs enforcement (ICE), according to a report by CNN.The October hearing is expected to include testimony from Trump admin officials to determine whether the government followed its own procedures in attempting to deport Abrego Garcia again. He was previously deported to El Salvador in March, where he was held in a high-security prison, before being returned to the US to face human smuggling charges.Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, government efforts to deport him again are underway. The Trump administration is reportedly seeking to remove him to Uganda, but Abrego Garcia is now undergoing a credible fear interview with immigration officials. If he is found to credibly fear persecution or torture in Uganda, US officials would be required to seek another country for removal.Justice department lawyer Drew Ensign told the court the screening process could take at least two weeks.Abrego Garcia is also pursuing a renewed asylum claim in a separate case that will be heard by an immigration judge.
