Archive · 23 Jun 2025
Judges Order Release in High-Profile Immigration Cases
A judge in Nashville decided that Kilmar Ábrego García, who was wrongly sent back to El Salvador, could be let out of jail while they wait for his trial.
The judge said the government didn't show he would run away or cause problems.
Another student, Mahmoud Khalil, also got out of jail after being held for a long time.
The government is trying to send both of them away.
A hearing on Wednesday will decide how Ábrego will be released.
A federal judge in Nashville denied the government's motion to detain Kilmar Ábrego García.
The judge ruled the government did not prove Ábrego was a flight risk or danger to the community.
A Wednesday hearing is set to determine the conditions for Ábrego's release.
Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia student, returned to New York City after being released.
The government has appealed the judge's decision regarding Ábrego's release.
- Who
- Kilmar Ábrego García and Mahmoud Khalil, both involved in high-profile immigration cases.
- What
- A judge ordered the release of Kilmar Ábrego García, denying the government's attempt to detain him, and also ordered the release of Mahmoud Khalil.
- When
- The rulings were made on Sunday and Friday.
- Where
- The ruling for Ábrego was made in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Why
- The judges found that the government did not prove Ábrego was a danger or a flight risk, and had no legitimate reason to keep Khalil detained.
Court's Reasoning
Government's Actions
Legal Justification
Court's Reasoning
Government failed to demonstrate Ábrego posed a flight risk or danger, and did not provide a legitimate reason to detain Khalil.
Government's Actions
The government sought to detain Ábrego on unspecified federal criminal charges and tried to keep Khalil detained.
- Defendant
- Kilmar Ábrego García, Mahmoud Khalil
- Judge (Ábrego)
- Barbara Holmes
- Judge (Khalil)
- Michael Farbiarz
- Charges (Ábrego)
- Unspecified federal criminal charges
- Detainment (Khalil)
- Over three months
- Next Steps (Ábrego)
- Wednesday hearing on release conditions; Government appeal
