In a critical court hearing, Judge Paula Xinis expressed frustration over the government's lack of progress in rectifying the deportation of Salvadoran individual Kilmar Ábrego García, who was wrongly removed from the US.
**Judge Demands Action from Trump Officials in Deportation Controversy**
**Judge Demands Action from Trump Officials in Deportation Controversy**
A Maryland judge criticizes the Trump administration for inaction in the wrongful deportation case of Kilmar Ábrego García and stresses immediate measures are necessary.
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A federal court in Maryland is becoming the epicenter of a heated deportation case involving Salvadoran national Kilmar Ábrego García, highlighting significant tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary. Judge Paula Xinis has given the administration a strict two-week deadline to present evidence of their efforts to facilitate García's return from El Salvador, where he is currently held in a notorious prison.
The case stems from a wrongful deportation that the government itself has acknowledged. García, who has been labeled by the Trump administration as having ties to the MS-13 gang, maintains he has never faced criminal charges. In a recent hearing, Judge Xinis emphasized, "Nothing has been done. Nothing," directing officials to prioritize this case and attend court to answer questions under oath by April 23.
The Supreme Court had previously mandated the administration to restore García’s legal protections, but despite this, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has claimed he lacks the authority to return García to the US. Tensions escalated as the Judge threatened to find government officials in contempt for not following through on their obligations, an action that could further heighten the clash between federal judicial authority and executive power.
Justice department attorney Drew Ensign indicated an openness to facilitating García’s return, suggesting he could re-enter the US at a port of entry. However, the Department of Homeland Security cast doubt on future actions, suggesting that García could face detention or deportation to another country if he attempts to re-enter the US.
Ahead of the court proceedings, García’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, passionately pleaded for humanitarian treatment for her husband, urging the Trump and Bukele administrations to stop using his situation as a political pawn.
As legal reactions unfold, there are implications for over 200 other individuals similarly categorized as gang members who were deported on the same day, amplifying the urgency around this case. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen announced plans to visit El Salvador to ensure García's well-being and advocate for his release, underlining the crisis's growing complexity and the need for immediate governmental accountability.
A federal court in Maryland is becoming the epicenter of a heated deportation case involving Salvadoran national Kilmar Ábrego García, highlighting significant tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary. Judge Paula Xinis has given the administration a strict two-week deadline to present evidence of their efforts to facilitate García's return from El Salvador, where he is currently held in a notorious prison.
The case stems from a wrongful deportation that the government itself has acknowledged. García, who has been labeled by the Trump administration as having ties to the MS-13 gang, maintains he has never faced criminal charges. In a recent hearing, Judge Xinis emphasized, "Nothing has been done. Nothing," directing officials to prioritize this case and attend court to answer questions under oath by April 23.
The Supreme Court had previously mandated the administration to restore García’s legal protections, but despite this, El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has claimed he lacks the authority to return García to the US. Tensions escalated as the Judge threatened to find government officials in contempt for not following through on their obligations, an action that could further heighten the clash between federal judicial authority and executive power.
Justice department attorney Drew Ensign indicated an openness to facilitating García’s return, suggesting he could re-enter the US at a port of entry. However, the Department of Homeland Security cast doubt on future actions, suggesting that García could face detention or deportation to another country if he attempts to re-enter the US.
Ahead of the court proceedings, García’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, passionately pleaded for humanitarian treatment for her husband, urging the Trump and Bukele administrations to stop using his situation as a political pawn.
As legal reactions unfold, there are implications for over 200 other individuals similarly categorized as gang members who were deported on the same day, amplifying the urgency around this case. Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen announced plans to visit El Salvador to ensure García's well-being and advocate for his release, underlining the crisis's growing complexity and the need for immediate governmental accountability.
