Wed Apr 16 00:20:00 UTC 2025: ## Federal Judge Grills Trump Administration Over Deportation of Salvadoran Man

**Greenbelt, MD – April 16, 2025** – A federal judge in Maryland sharply questioned the Trump administration on Tuesday over its refusal to retrieve Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man deported to a prison in El Salvador despite a Supreme Court order for his return to the United States.

The hearing follows the White House’s assertion that it lacks the authority to bring Abrego Garcia back, a claim echoed by El Salvador’s president, who compared repatriation to “smuggling a terrorist.” Abrego Garcia’s deportation has ignited a national debate, highlighting President Trump’s controversial mass deportation policies.

Abrego Garcia, 29, lived in the U.S. for 14 years, working construction and raising three disabled children. A U.S. immigration judge had previously blocked his deportation, citing the risk of persecution by gangs in El Salvador. However, the Trump administration deported him last month, later calling it an “administrative error” while simultaneously alleging his involvement with the MS-13 gang – allegations Abrego Garcia denies. He was never charged with any crime.

Judge Paula Xinis ordered the administration to return Abrego Garcia earlier this month, a decision upheld by the Supreme Court. Despite this, the White House maintains its stance, arguing that the courts cannot interfere with presidential diplomatic powers. While the administration claims it is prepared to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, it simultaneously contends that his protection from deportation to El Salvador would be removed due to the MS-13 allegations, potentially leading to his deportation to El Salvador or a third country.

Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, described the deportation as the shattering of her family’s American dream. She vows to continue fighting for her husband’s return. Abrego Garcia’s lawyers argue that the U.S. government possesses the authority to secure his release, citing existing contracts with El Salvador for the imprisonment of other individuals. They also point out the Supreme Court order and the government’s failure to even request Abrego Garcia’s release from Salvadoran prison. The situation remains tense, with the legal battle continuing and the fate of Abrego Garcia hanging in the balance.

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