In a significant ruling, a US District Judge declared the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia as illegal, ordering his return by Monday after the government acknowledged it was an administrative mistake.
Judge Orders Return of Man Deported to El Salvador Due to Administrative Error
Judge Orders Return of Man Deported to El Salvador Due to Administrative Error
A federal judge has mandated the return of a Maryland man wrongly deported to El Salvador amidst allegations of gang affiliation.
Judge Paula Xinis's recent ruling has sparked significant attention as she mandated the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador. Garcia, alongside hundreds of others classified by the Trump administration as gang members, was sent to a notorious prison in El Salvador last month. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) later admitted that his deportation was an “administrative error,” noting that Garcia had been granted protected status against deportation back in 2019.
Despite claims from the White House labeling Garcia as an MS-13 gang member, his defense team firmly argued that there is insufficient evidence linking him to any criminal activity. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, his lawyer, highlighted that Garcia has never been charged with a crime in any jurisdiction. He characterized the deportation as a "forcible expulsion," emphasizing the gravity of the error.
On Friday, Judge Xinis referred to Garcia’s deportation as “an illegal act,” firmly instructing the government to facilitate his return to the U.S. by the upcoming Monday. This ruling sharply contrasts with the Trump administration’s staunch defense of its deportation policies, with their officials criticizing the judiciary's involvement as politically motivated. Notably, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller dismissed the judge’s authority over el Salvador in a social media post.
Garcia's family has been vocal about their distress since his deportation, with his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, a U.S. citizen, expressing her anguish over their separation. The appeals for his release have garnered bipartisan attention, with Maryland's Governor Wes Moore calling for a rectification from the federal authorities. In response to the ruling, Department of Justice attorney Erez Reuveni indicated that the government recognized the misstep in Garcia's deportation but failed to produce a concrete basis for the action taken.
As political debates continue over immigration enforcement in the U.S., this case has underscored the complexities and potential vulnerabilities in the deportation system. The administration’s handling of deportations remains under scrutiny as public calls for accountability persist.
Despite claims from the White House labeling Garcia as an MS-13 gang member, his defense team firmly argued that there is insufficient evidence linking him to any criminal activity. Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, his lawyer, highlighted that Garcia has never been charged with a crime in any jurisdiction. He characterized the deportation as a "forcible expulsion," emphasizing the gravity of the error.
On Friday, Judge Xinis referred to Garcia’s deportation as “an illegal act,” firmly instructing the government to facilitate his return to the U.S. by the upcoming Monday. This ruling sharply contrasts with the Trump administration’s staunch defense of its deportation policies, with their officials criticizing the judiciary's involvement as politically motivated. Notably, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller dismissed the judge’s authority over el Salvador in a social media post.
Garcia's family has been vocal about their distress since his deportation, with his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, a U.S. citizen, expressing her anguish over their separation. The appeals for his release have garnered bipartisan attention, with Maryland's Governor Wes Moore calling for a rectification from the federal authorities. In response to the ruling, Department of Justice attorney Erez Reuveni indicated that the government recognized the misstep in Garcia's deportation but failed to produce a concrete basis for the action taken.
As political debates continue over immigration enforcement in the U.S., this case has underscored the complexities and potential vulnerabilities in the deportation system. The administration’s handling of deportations remains under scrutiny as public calls for accountability persist.
