Judge Temporarily Blocks Removal After Liberia Agrees

The Justice Department told a federal judge that Liberia has agreed to accept Kilmar Abrego Garcia and that DHS expects removal could occur as soon as Oct. 31, citing diplomatic assurances. Abrego was wrongfully deported to El Salvador in March despite a 2019 protection finding, was returned to the U.S. in June, and now faces federal human-smuggling charges in Tennessee while remaining in immigration custody. The government argues Liberia is a suitable, English-speaking democracy with human-rights protections and notes Liberia is not on the more-than-20-country list Abrego says he fears; Liberia says it will take him on a humanitarian and temporary basis. Abrego’s lawyers call the plan punitive and unconstitutional, say he has no connection to Liberia, note prior suggested destinations (Uganda, Eswatini, Ghana) rejected the idea, and prefer alternatives such as Costa Rica. A Maryland federal judge has temporarily barred his removal while considering his bid for release and related litigation, leaving the Oct. 31 timeline uncertain.