Federal judge to hold hearing on whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being vindictively prosecuted

Federal judge to hold hearing on whether Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being vindictively prosecutedA federal judge has canceled the trial of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man mistakenly deported, and scheduled a hearing on whether the prosecution is being vindictive in its human smuggling case against himByJESSE BEDAYN Associated PressDecember 26, 2025, 5:07 PMA federal judge this week canceled the trial of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran man who was mistakenly deported, and scheduled a hearing on whether the prosecution is being vindictive in pursuing a human smuggling case against him. Abrego Garcia has become a centerpiece of the debate over immigration after the Trump administration deported him in March to a notorious prison in El Salvador. Facing mounting public pressure and a court order, the Trump administration brought him back to the U. S. in June, but only after issuing an arrest warrant on human smuggling charges in Tennessee.