DeKalb GA News

The Department of Justice under the Trump Administration has opposed additional relief requests in the deportation case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member. This development follows the Supreme Court's ruling that the United States must facilitate Garcia's return from El Salvador.

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, presiding over the case in Maryland, has ordered daily updates on Garcia's status, stating that "Defendants made no meaningful effort to comply" with previous court orders. The judge criticized the administration for not providing Garcia's physical location and custodial status, despite being directed to do so. Xinis has scheduled a follow-up hearing on April 15, 2025.

President Trump, addressing the Supreme Court's decision, noted, "If the Supreme Court said, ‘bring somebody back [from deportation],’ I would do that. I respect the Supreme Court… I’m not talking about the lower court."

State Department official Michael Kozak recently informed Judge Xinis that Abrego Garcia is "alive and secure" in El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center, held under the country's domestic authority. In response to the situation, Garcia’s attorneys have filed for more relief, urging the government to bring Garcia back to the United States and grant parole.

The Trump Administration's DOJ contended against Garcia's motion, arguing the court's requests overstep into diplomatic territory. The DOJ cited the need to understand terms like "facilitate" in their standard immigration context, suggesting the court's orders should not infringe on the executive branch's conduct of foreign affairs.

A distinction is emphasized by the DOJ that "facilitate" should imply removing domestic legal obstacles preventing Garcia's entry to the United States, not compelling actions concerning El Salvador's jurisdiction.