Jul 16, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Federal judge delays ruling on Ábrego García's release pending trial

Sareen Habeshian

Jennifer Vasquez Sura (2nd R), the wife of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, is joined by supporters, advocates from CASA de Maryland, fellow union members and others as they rally in front of the U.S. District Court for Maryland ahead of a hearing on his case on July 07, 2025 in Greenbelt, Maryland. Abrego Gar — A rally ahead of a hearing on Kilmar Ábrego García's case on July 7 in Greenbelt, Maryland. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

A federal judge on Wednesday delayed making a ruling on whether Kilmar Ábrego García should be released from jail as he awaits trial, multiple outlets reported.

The big picture: The legal U.S. resident, who spent nearly three months in an El Salvador mega-prison before being returned to a Tennessee jail, is awaiting trial on human smuggling charges to which he has pleaded not guilty.

Driving the news: U.S. District Judge Waverly Crenshaw Jr. reportedly said during a hearing Wednesday that he plans to making a ruling next week on the Trump administration's case against Ábrego García.

The administration has indicated it will deport Ábrego García if he's released pending trial.

Catch up quick: A federal judge ordered Ábrego García's release from prison last month, but another judge then ruled he should remain in jail for now over concerns from his legal team that he could be deported if freed while awaiting trial.

The administration has accused Ábrego García of being a criminal and a member of the MS-13 gang, which his attorneys have denied.

Go deeper: Ábrego García alleges "severe beatings," torture in El Salvador prison

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Federal judge delays ruling on Ábrego García's release pending trial

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