Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man and father, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador by the Trump administration. The Department of Justice suspended top immigration lawyer Erez Reuveni after he questioned the handling of Abrego Garcia’s deportation in court. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis ruled that Abrego Garcia must be returned to the United States from the violent El Salvador prison where he is currently held. The Trump administration invoked the 1798 Alien Enemies Act to expedite the deportations of alleged gang members.
During the court hearing, Reuveni expressed frustration with the lack of response from the administration and the lack of evidence presented. The government admitted that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was a mistake due to an administrative error. However, they argued that they have no jurisdiction to bring him back because he is in a foreign country. Judge Xinis criticized the government’s handling of the situation and questioned their claim that Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13.
Abrego Garcia had fled El Salvador as a teenager to escape gang violence and was deported despite having won a court order six years earlier barring his removal. The judge emphasized the need for due process in such cases and expressed skepticism about the government’s claims. The community and advocates are working to bring Abrego Garcia back to the United States.
