Federal Judge Demands Testimony from Trump Officials Over Deportation Case

In a significant legal development, a federal judge has mandated that officials from the Trump administration provide sworn testimony regarding the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was erroneously deported to a high-security prison in El Salvador. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, serving in Maryland, expressed her intent to hold these officials accountable for their apparent non-compliance with her directives aimed at facilitating Garcia's return.

Judge Xinis's decision follows the Trump administration's repeated refusal to assist in bringing Garcia back to the United States, a situation she characterized as a clear violation of a Supreme Court ruling. In her remarks, she dismissed statements made by White House representatives and the Salvadoran president, who claimed they could not arrange for Garcia's return, branding their comments as misguided.

The judge's written order, released on Tuesday evening, calls for the testimony of four officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the State Department. The hearing is expected to span approximately two weeks. Judge Xinis noted that the Trump administration has taken no actions to facilitate Garcia's repatriation, emphasizing that they are still obligated to assist in this matter.

The urgency of the situation was underscored by a demonstration outside the federal courthouse in Maryland, where supporters of Garcia rallied, chanting for due process. Garcia's attorney indicated that if the fact-finding phase does not yield results, contempt proceedings might be the next logical step.

Garcia's wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, shared her distress over her husband's deportation, stating that their family was shattered when he was taken from them in front of their young child. Meanwhile, Senator Chris Van Hollen from Maryland announced plans to travel to El Salvador to assess Garcia's condition and engage with local officials regarding his potential release.

Garcia, who had resided in the U.S. for nearly 14 years, was shielded from deportation by a U.S. immigration judge in 2019, a ruling made in light of potential gang-related persecution he would face in El Salvador. Despite this, the Trump administration deported him last month, describing the incident as an administrative error while also alleging his connection to the MS-13 gang, a claim Garcia has vehemently denied.

Following a court order from early April, the Supreme Court affirmed that the U.S. government must take steps to facilitate Garcia's return. However, the White House has resisted efforts to negotiate his repatriation, citing constitutional limitations on presidential powers regarding foreign affairs.

Xinis has mandated daily updates from the government concerning efforts to secure Garcia's return. The administration has confirmed that Garcia is alive but has refrained from detailing any plans for his repatriation. In a recent court filing, government attorneys indicated that while they could facilitate Garcia's return, they would revoke protections against his deportation, potentially leading to his removal to El Salvador or another country.

The legal complexities surrounding Garcia's deportation reflect broader issues within U.S. immigration policy, particularly during the Trump administration's tenure, which prioritized aggressive deportation measures. Advocates for Garcia emphasize that the U.S. maintains contractual obligations with El Salvador, which could be leveraged to secure his release.