LOOP: Federal judge orders release of Kilmar Abrego Garcia

The LOOP FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 FED JUDGE ORDERS RELEASE OF KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA  A federal judge yesterday ordered immigration officials to immediately release Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran national who was wrongfully deported in March and later brought back to the U.S.

View in browser FRIDAY, DECEMBER 12 FED JUDGE ORDERS RELEASE OF KILMAR ABREGO GARCIA  A federal judge yesterday ordered immigration officials to immediately release Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Salvadoran national who was wrongfully deported in March and later brought back to the U.S. He has been held in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) custody since August while facing federal smuggling charges.  READ INDIANA SENATE REJECTS TRUMP-BACKED REDISTRICTING MAP Indiana's Republican-controlled Senate voted yesterday to reject a redistricting plan that would have redrawn the state's nine U.S. House districts and given Republicans full control of the delegation in the 2026 midterms. In the 19-31 vote, 21 Republican senators joined all 10 Democrats to reject the measure.  READ TYLER ROBINSON MAKES FIRST IN-PERSON COURT APPEARANCE   Accused Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson made his first in-person court appearance yesterday, facing numerous felony charges including aggravated murder. Fox News reported that ongoing investigations of the Kirk murder have been characterized by "unprecedented secrecy," adding that "much of the case [against Robinson] has unfolded behind closed doors, prompting a coalition of media organizations, including Fox News, to demand greater transparency."  READ REPUBLICAN INTRODUCES BILL TO WITHDRAW US FROM NATO  Republican Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced legislation Dec. 9 to withdraw the U.S. from NATO (the North Atlantic Treaty Organization), arguing the alliance places an unfair financial burden on American taxpayers. "NATO is a Cold War relic," Massie said. "We should withdraw from NATO and use that money to defend our own country, not socialist countries."  READ  AD: LOOP EXCLUSIVE—TODAY ONLY: CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOUR PRIEST!  Your pastor will LOVE one of our "7 Gifts for Priests," including TODAY ONLY an exclusive buy-1-get-1-FREE stunning hi-res image of the face of Our Lady of Guadalupe — the actual size on the tilma. Contemplate her face and her words to St. Juan Diego when you pray. For every rectory, sacristy, nursery, school, and home — inspires all ages! One for you, one to give away!   READ HOUSE PASSES $900B DEFENSE BILL, AIDING UKRAINE, ISRAEL   The House passed the fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) this week, approving a roughly $900 billion military spending blueprint that includes millions in security assistance for Ukraine and Israel.  READ MUSLIM BUSINESSMAN 'SAVES CHRISTMAS' IN DEARBORN  A heartwarming story out of Dearborn Heights, Michigan, is going viral after a local Arab businessman helped "save Christmas" by teaming up with a nearby Christmas tree farm. When Sam Hussein learned the city's annual Christmas tree wouldn't arrive in time for the beloved community lighting ceremony, he made sure a new one was ordered and delivered just in time through a generous donation.  READ US SEIZES VENEZUELAN OIL TANKER, CLAIMING TERROR LINK  The U.S. seized an oil tanker off Venezuela's coast this week, marking another escalation in Washington's pressure campaign against Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. Federal officials later said the vessel belonged to an illicit shipping network that supports foreign terrorist organizations.  LEARN MORE   AD: FAITH FORGED IN BEAUTY!  Metal holy cards - several available. Fantastic stocking stuffers! Holiness and beauty together.   GET MORE INFORMATION   ICE DETAINEES GET SACRAMENTS FROM CALIFORNIA BISHOPS  Bishop Alberto Rojas of San Bernardino and six other California bishops celebrated Mass for about 300 detainees at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center outside Los Angeles this Wednesday. The bishops celebrated the outdoor Mass on a basketball court inside the men's section of the facility, where detainees asked them to bless Bibles and rosaries.  READ CATHOLIC FOOTBALL LEGEND RETURNS TO NFL Philip Rivers, the 44-year-old father of 10 and grandfather of one, has returned to the NFL, signing this week with the Indianapolis Colts after the team lost multiple quarterbacks to season-ending injuries. Rivers, a devout Catholic, says his priorities are "faith, family, football" — in that order — and describes Mass as the non-negotiable anchor of his life since childhood.  READ NOT TO BE MISSED...  Here are the stories we couldn't fit in today's LOOP: The Vatican has approved a new Carmelite monastery to replace the nuns involved in a recent scandal in Arlington, Texas.  READ Instagram banned the largest Catholic account on the platform.  READ A Catholic outreach project to new moms says there is a rising need for support.  READ GUIDE: HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS  Here's a thorough "guide to the cozy season" from Real Simple. Warm up your home, get the scents wafting, resurrect old traditions, play some games, cook some food, and lots more!  READ CATHOLIC 101  Members of the Franciscan Sisters of Christian Charity explained ahead of today's feast day the importance of Our Lady of Guadalupe in their mission and work.  READ SAINT OF THE DAY  "I am the ever-virgin Holy Mary, Mother of the true God." These are the words Our Lady spoke to St. Juan Diego when she first appeared to him. Read the full story behind the devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, whose feast day we celebrate today.  READ DAILY PSALM  "You are the highest honor of our race." (Judith 15)  READ DAILY READINGS  Today's Mass readings.  READ THE DEEP  Why do middle-class Americans feel poor in the "best economy ever?" From $140K poverty lines to the death of the middle class, we dig into the K-shaped economy. If you've ever wondered why the American Dream feels out of reach, this episode of The Deep is for you!  WATCH Paid for by CatholicVote Civic Action, a 501(c)(4) organization., PO Box 3310, Carmel, IN 46082 (317) 669-6127 Unsubscribe Manage preferences