In a notable courtroom exchange, a federal judge criticized the Trump administration for its lack of progress in addressing the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García, demanding evidence of efforts to facilitate his return to the U.S. The judge's stern warnings highlight tensions between the judiciary and the executive branch regarding this controversial case.
Judge Demands Action from Trump Officials on Deportation Case
Judge Demands Action from Trump Officials on Deportation Case
Federal judge calls for urgent updates on the status of a deported Salvadoran man amid allegations of government inaction.
A federal judge has issued a two-week deadline for the Trump administration to provide evidence on their attempts to address the wrongful deportation of Kilmar Ábrego García, a Salvadoran national previously removed to a mega-prison in El Salvador last month. Judge Paula Xinis openly criticized the government’s inaction in court, stating, “To date, what the record shows is that nothing has been done. Nothing.”
She has warned officials that there will be "no tolerance for gamesmanship" regarding the case. This directive comes after a Supreme Court order mandated the administration to aid the release of the 29-year-old man, although El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele claimed he lacks the authority to facilitate his return.
The Trump administration has pointed to alleged gang affiliations of Mr. Ábrego García with MS-13, designated as a foreign terrorist organization, a claim his legal team vehemently denies, asserting he has never faced any charges.
During Tuesday's court session, Judge Xinis ordered the presence of four officials from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to provide answers under oath by April 23. She also requested daily updates on the administration's actions surrounding Mr. Ábrego García’s return.
A government attorney indicated that Mr. Ábrego García could return if he presented himself at a port of entry; however, a court filing from the homeland security department contradicted this by asserting he would be detained, possibly leading to his removal to a third country or legal action to strip him of prior deportation protections granted six years earlier.
Prior to the hearing, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, Mr. Ábrego García's wife, publicly implored both the Trump and Bukele administrations to cease "playing political games with the life" of her husband. A court order from 2019 had previously shielded him from deportation due to potential gang-related persecution risks in El Salvador.
The Supreme Court's unanimous ruling reaffirmed Mr. Ábrego García's legal protections against deportation and deemed the removal to El Salvador as illegal. However, mixed messages from the government have led to an escalation of tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary over this case. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen has announced he will visit El Salvador to advocate for Mr. Ábrego García's well-being and release from detention.
