Federal judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention — General President Coleman responds

December 11, 2025

On December 11, 2025, a federal judge ordered the immediate release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from immigration detention. SMART General President Michael Coleman released the following statement in response:

“In August, Kilmar Abrego Garcia saw his family for the first time in months, after he was first illegally deported to El Salvador, and then held in custody after he returned to the United States. Days after he reunited with his wife and children, Kilmar followed the law and attended a mandatory check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement — and he was immediately detained.

“He has not been with his family since.

“It is almost impossible to imagine what Kilmar, his wife, Jennifer, and his young children have experienced over these months.

“But today, after even more months of separation, Kilmar and his family have finally been given the chance to see each other again. We are thankful that this family will finally be reunited.

“The fight for Kilmar has always been about due process. It is one of the pillars that this great country was founded on. A pillar that actually DOES make America great. We fight for this due process every day for our members, and we will continue to fight for it and every right that our members deserve.”