DOJ suggests federal courts cannot tell admin how to conduct foreign relations
The U.S. government has been embroiled in a legal battle over the removal of Salvadoran man Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia from the country last month. A court ordered the government to take steps to facilitate his return, but the Justice Department argued that federal courts cannot dictate how the executive branch handles foreign relations.
Abrego Garcia, who had been living in Maryland, was accused of being a member of the MS-13 gang, although he denies the allegation. Despite being granted protection from removal to El Salvador, he was mistakenly deported due to an administrative error.
In response to the court order to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, the Supreme Court called for clarification on the directive. The lower court clarified that the government must take all available steps to remove domestic obstacles hindering Abrego Garcia’s return.
Meanwhile, Abrego Garcia’s wife, a U.S. citizen, anxiously awaits his return as he remains detained in El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center. The State Department confirmed his safety and detention in the facility, emphasizing that he is held under El Salvador’s domestic authority.
In a twist of events, Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele is set to visit President Donald Trump at the White House, potentially adding a diplomatic angle to Abrego Garcia’s case.
As the legal saga continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will navigate the complexities of facilitating Abrego Garcia’s return while upholding its stance on foreign relations. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story.
