In a significant legal ruling, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has mandated the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador, after his attorneys contested allegations of gang ties. The case has sparked political controversy, as the Trump administration insists on defending its deportation policies.
Judge Orders Return of Mistakenly Deported Maryland Man from El Salvador
Judge Orders Return of Mistakenly Deported Maryland Man from El Salvador
A federal judge has ruled that Kilmar Abrego Garcia, mistakenly deported, must be returned to the U.S. after claims of gang affiliation were challenged.
A federal judge has ordered the immediate return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador after being accused of gang involvement. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis announced that Garcia must be brought back to the United States by Monday, highlighting that the Trump administration's actions constituted an "administrative error."
Garcia was among hundreds of alleged gang members deported in March, with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) affirming their mistake through court documents. Despite White House claims that Garcia is connected to the notorious MS-13 gang, his attorneys argue there is insufficient evidence backing these allegations.
His lawyer, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, emphasized that Garcia has never been charged with any crime and condemned the deportation as a forceful expulsion. Meanwhile, ICE officials admitted to the oversight, stating that there was no feasible justification for Garcia's removal.
Judge Xinis described Garcia's deportation as unlawful, resulting in a heated exchange regarding jurisdiction over his case. The Trump administration criticized the ruling, with White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller derogatorily labeling Judge Xinis as a "Marxist" for her decision.
Garcia's family has remained vocal in their pursuit for his return, with his wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura—a U.S. citizen—having had no contact with him since his deportation. Government representatives conceded the errors made in Garcia's case, further stirring discord amongst political leaders, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who has called for corrective measures. Conversely, Vice-President JD Vance has condemned Democratic criticisms of the administration's immigration policies as exaggerated.
The case remains under scrutiny as it highlights issues pertaining to due process and administrative failures in the land of immigration enforcement.
