A federal judge in Maryland is considering whether the Trump administration can deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Liberia, after his wrongful deportation to El Salvador in 2025. 

Abrego Garcia had a 2019 court order protecting him from deportation to El Salvador because of concerns he could face gang persecution there.

The administration has argued that Liberia is willing to accept him, while Abrego Garcia’s lawyers want the court to block the removal and say he should be allowed to go to Costa Rica, which has offered him protection. 

His deportation effort comes as a separate federal criminal case accusing him of human smuggling was recently dismissed by a Tennessee judge, who found the prosecution was vindictive; the Justice Department has appealed that ruling, CBS News has reported.

For now, Abrego Garcia remains free from ICE custody while Judge Paula Xinis considers whether the government can proceed with his deportation to Liberia.