WASHINGTON, – A federal judge sharply criticized the Trump administration for failing to act on a court order to return Kilmar Ábrego García, a legally residing refugee who was wrongly deported to El Salvador after nearly 25 years in the U.S.
During a tense court hearing, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis expressed deep frustration, stating bluntly:
“To date, nothing has been done. Nothing.”
The judge had earlier ordered the Department of Justice (DOJ) to “facilitate and effectuate” García’s return. However, the administration argued it lacked the power to force El Salvador to release him from prison.
Judge Demands Action, Prepares for Depositions
Fed up with the lack of progress, Judge Xinis directed DOJ officials to clear their schedules and prepare for possible depositions and a discovery process that could last two weeks.
Garcia’s legal team is now authorized to:
- Submit up to 15 written questions
- Make 15 document requests
- Depose six administration officials
The aim is to uncover whether the government made any real effort to follow the court’s order.
Judge Rejects DOJ Interpretation of “Facilitate”
The administration previously claimed that Trump’s press conference with El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele was an attempt to “facilitate” Garcia’s return. But Xinis firmly rejected that argument.
She also dismissed the narrow interpretation of the term “facilitate,” which the administration took to mean simply removing U.S. barriers—not actively working with El Salvador to secure Garcia’s release.
“The plain meaning of the term means they had to secure his release,” said Judge Xinis.
A Legal and Moral Standoff
Kilmar Ábrego García, once a legal U.S. resident, was accidentally deported and is now imprisoned in El Salvador. His case has become a symbol of the Trump administration’s aggressive deportation tactics and the legal chaos that sometimes follows.
Judge Xinis is now considering whether to hold Trump administration officials in contempt of court for ignoring her order.
