A U.S. federal judge has expressed outrage over the Trump administration’s failure to adhere to a court order concerning the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident sent to El Salvador in March despite legal protections barring his removal.
During a tense hearing in Greenbelt, Maryland, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis criticized the administration for providing no information about Garcia’s whereabouts, calling it “extremely troubling” that the government had ignored her directive. Xinis demanded daily updates on the status of Garcia’s return, as the government had yet to comply with a Supreme Court ruling that backed her order to bring him back to the U.S.
Abrego Garcia, who had been living legally in the U.S. since 2019 with a work permit, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador on March 15. This occurred despite an existing order shielding him from deportation. The administration has acknowledged the error but claimed that logistical and diplomatic hurdles prevented a swift resolution.
At the hearing, the judge repeatedly pressed the Department of Justice on its lack of progress. “Based on the record, you’ve done nothing,” she said, emphasizing the administration’s failure to provide any information about Garcia’s current location or the steps being taken to ensure his return.
The administration, on the other hand, argued that the court’s deadlines were unrealistic and that the government’s response to the Supreme Court’s directive had to be adjusted to align with diplomatic realities. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt stated that the ruling only required the administration to facilitate Garcia’s return, not immediately enforce it.
Protesters outside the courthouse expressed their support for Garcia’s return, one even attaching a sign to a dog reading, “‘MUST’ MEANS MUST,” underscoring the urgency of the court’s order.
The case has sparked tension between the judiciary and the executive branch, with some critics accusing the Trump administration of defying court mandates. Civil rights groups argue that the deportation violated due process rights, and the administration has expressed concern about the judiciary encroaching on its foreign policy decisions.
As the saga continues, Judge Xinis has made it clear she expects full cooperation from the government to resolve the matter swiftly.
