Fri Apr 04 22:37:41 UTC 2025: ## Federal Judge Orders Return of Man Wrongfully Deported by Trump Administration

**Washington, D.C.** – A federal judge has condemned the Trump administration’s deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador as an “illegal act” and ordered his immediate return to the United States. Judge Paula Xinis issued the ruling on Friday, criticizing the administration’s lawyers for failing to provide basic information about the March deportation.

Abrego Garcia, a 29-year-old Maryland resident with legal work authorization, was deported despite a 2019 immigration judge ruling that protected him from expulsion due to the threat of gang violence in El Salvador. The White House, while acknowledging the deportation was an “error,” maintained through spokesperson Karline Leavitt that Abrego Garcia was a member of the MS-13 gang, a claim his lawyers vehemently deny, citing a lack of evidence beyond a 2019 tip from a confidential informant who incorrectly stated Abrego Garcia lived in New York.

Justice Department lawyer Erez Reuveni was unable to explain to the judge under what authority Abrego Garcia was detained before his deportation. Abrego Garcia’s lawyer, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, criticized the administration for issuing statements but taking no action to rectify the situation with the El Salvadoran government.

Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, a US citizen, spoke at a rally, expressing her anguish at not having contact with her husband since his deportation and urging continued support for her husband and others facing similar situations.

The deportation is part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to increase deportations, including the controversial use of the 1789 Alien Enemies Act, which has been temporarily blocked by a judge. Rights groups allege the act was used to target individuals based on tattoos and clothing associated with Latin American gangs, violating due process. Judge Xinis’ ruling highlights the significant legal challenges faced by the administration’s aggressive deportation policies.

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