CA, US & World
Judge Pressures Trump Administration to Comply with Order in Mistaken Deportation Case
A legal showdown is unfolding in Washington as a federal judge demands answers from the Trump administration over the mistaken deportation of Kilmar Abrego-Garcia, a Maryland father of three who had been granted protected status.
Abrego-Garcia was deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador, despite a 2019 designation protecting him from removal due to safety concerns. The judge overseeing the case has now issued new orders and a strict deadline for the federal government to produce evidence of efforts to comply with a Supreme Court ruling that mandates his return to the U.S.
NBC’s Alice Barr reports that the judge is considering contempt proceedings against the administration, citing inaction. "Enough is enough. My family can't be robbed from another day without seeing Kilmar," a family member stated emotionally during a recent court update.
The Trump administration, however, has pushed back. It claims that El Salvador must first initiate Kilmar’s release. Officials also argue that Abrego-Garcia was not mistakenly deported, citing an earlier immigration judge’s claim that he was affiliated with the MS-13 gang—a charge his attorneys vehemently deny, pointing to unverified testimony from a confidential informant.
Crucially, Abrego-Garcia has never been criminally convicted in either the United States or El Salvador. He entered the U.S. in 2011 and had been living in Maryland before his deportation.
A Democratic senator from Maryland is now traveling to El Salvador to intervene personally and work toward Abrego-Garcia’s return. Legal analysts say the case could set an important precedent for due process rights in deportation proceedings.
Stay updated on this developing story at NBCPalmSprings.com.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
April 16, 2025
Kilmar AbregoGarciamistaken deportationTrump administrationEl Salvador prisonfederal court orderMS13 allegationsdue processdeportation legal battleMaryland immigration caseNBC News Alice Barr
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