Fact Check: Judge Orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia's Release, But ICE Plans to Detain Him
What We Know
A federal judge in Tennessee, U.S. Magistrate Judge Barbara Holmes, has ordered the release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia while he awaits trial on human smuggling charges. This decision comes after a ruling on June 13, 2025, where the judge denied the U.S. government's motion to keep him in detention. However, it is anticipated that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will detain him immediately following his release, potentially leading to his deportation before his trial can occur (AP News, PBS).
The judge's ruling emphasized that the government did not provide sufficient evidence to prove that Abrego Garcia was a flight risk or a danger to the community. She stated, “Overall, the Court cannot find from the evidence presented that Abrego’s release clearly and convincingly poses an irremediable danger to other persons or to the community” (CBS News). Despite this, the judge acknowledged that the decision regarding his release was largely academic, as ICE was expected to take him into custody (ABC News).
Analysis
The claim that a judge ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release but that ICE plans to detain him is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press and PBS report that Judge Holmes scheduled a hearing to discuss the conditions of Abrego Garcia's release, while also noting that ICE's intent to detain him would likely negate any immediate freedom he might gain from the ruling (AP News, PBS).
The reliability of these sources is strong, as they are well-established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The Associated Press, in particular, is known for its journalistic integrity and fact-checking processes. The legal context provided by the judge's ruling and the statements from the U.S. attorney's office further corroborate the situation, indicating that the legal proceedings surrounding Abrego Garcia are complex and fraught with implications regarding immigration enforcement (Los Angeles Times, CBS News).
While the judge's ruling reflects a commitment to due process, the anticipated actions of ICE illustrate the ongoing tensions between judicial decisions and immigration enforcement policies. The assertion that ICE will likely detain Abrego Garcia even after his release order is consistent across multiple reports, reinforcing the claim's validity.
Conclusion
The claim that a judge ordered Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release, but ICE plans to detain him, is True. The evidence from credible news sources confirms that while the judge has ruled for his release pending trial, ICE's intention to detain him undermines that release. This situation highlights the complexities of immigration enforcement and the judicial process in the United States.
Sources
- Judge to order Abrego Garcia's release but ICE plans ...
- Judge orders Abrego Garcia's release from jail to await trial, but ICE ...
- Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release, but ICE likely to detain him ...
- Judge orders Kilmar Abrego Garcia's release, but ...
- ICE will likely detain Kilmar Abrego Garcia despite judge's ...
