Lawyers representing a Maryland man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador criticized the Trump administration for trying to delay the process of bringing him back, calling it arrogant and cruel. The man, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, was flown from Texas to El Salvador in March despite a court order prohibiting his deportation. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the administration must facilitate his return to the United States and provide details on the steps they are taking to bring him back.
In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, Judge Paula Xinis ordered the Justice Department to submit a written declaration of their plans to retrieve Mr. Abrego Garcia by 9:30 a.m. on Friday and scheduled a hearing for 1 p.m. Shortly before the deadline, the Justice Department requested more time to review the order and asked to postpone the deadline until Tuesday and the hearing until Wednesday. Judge Xinis granted an extension for the written filing but refused to change the schedule for the hearing, emphasizing the illegality of Mr. Abrego Garcia’s deportation.
While the Supreme Court’s ruling initially appeared to be a victory for Mr. Abrego Garcia, there was a line that could potentially be used by Trump officials to argue against bringing him back from El Salvador. The justices did not define what it meant to “facilitate and effectuate” his return, leaving that question to be clarified by Judge Xinis. They also reminded Judge Xinis to consider the deference owed to the executive branch in the conduct of foreign affairs, indicating that the administration could argue against forced repatriation.
Throughout the case, Trump administration officials have maintained that judges should not interfere with the president’s authority to manage foreign policy. Despite the pushback from the Justice Department, Judge Xinis emphasized the urgency of the situation, highlighting the administration’s repeated delays and failures to comply with court orders. The legal battle over the return of Mr. Abrego Garcia continues, with the court seeking clarity on the steps the administration must take to bring him back to the United States.
The case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia underscores the challenges faced by undocumented migrants caught in the complex web of immigration policies. His unlawful deportation and subsequent legal battles expose the human toll of the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement tactics. The ongoing court proceedings will determine the extent of the government’s obligations to facilitate the return of Mr. Abrego Garcia, shedding light on the intersection of legal, human rights, and foreign policy considerations in cases involving deportations and repatriations.
