Judge accuses Trump admin of ‘bad faith refusal’ in Abrego Garcia deportation case
A federal judge in Maryland has accused the Trump administration of deliberately and in bad faith refusing to comply with court orders in the case of illegal immigrant and suspected MS-13 gang member Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who was nominated by former President Barack Obama, called out the administration for obstructing the legal process and failing to provide information about efforts to bring Abrego Garcia back to the United States from Salvadorian custody.
In an eight-page order issued on Tuesday, Judge Xinis criticized the administration for hiding behind vague and unsubstantiated claims of privilege to avoid complying with court orders. She demanded specific legal and factual explanations to support any claims of privilege, warning that continued reliance on boilerplate assertions would no longer be tolerated. The judge set a deadline for the administration to provide the necessary details by 6 p.m. on Wednesday.
President Trump, in response to the controversy, posted a photo on TRUTH Social showing Abrego Garcia’s gang-affiliated tattoos on his knuckles. Trump questioned why the courts and Democrats were trying to prevent Abrego Garcia’s deportation, highlighting the severity of his criminal past and affiliation with the notorious MS-13 gang. The Trump administration deported Abrego Garcia due to an alleged administrative error and has since claimed that his return to the U.S. is now in the hands of El Salvador.
The U.S. Supreme Court recently ordered the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return to the U.S. for court proceedings, rejecting claims that he could not be retrieved. Despite this ruling, the administration has continued to push back, arguing that El Salvador holds the authority over Abrego Garcia’s return. Judge Xinis denounced these claims as a deliberate refusal to comply with legal obligations, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability in the process.
In a separate development, domestic violence allegations made by Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez, have surfaced, detailing instances of abuse and human trafficking suspicions against him. These revelations have added another layer of complexity to the case, raising questions about Abrego Garcia’s conduct and the administration’s handling of the situation.
Overall, the ongoing legal battle over Abrego Garcia’s deportation highlights the challenges and controversies surrounding immigration enforcement and gang-related crime. Judge Xinis’ firm stance against the Trump administration’s refusal to comply with court orders underscores the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability in immigration proceedings.
