Trump administration faces backlash over illegal deportation of Salvadoran man

In a controversial case surrounding immigration enforcement, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran man living legally in the United States, was deported to El Salvador in violation of a court order. This deportation took place on March 15, 2025, despite a ruling by a U.S. District Judge who had found that the government lacked lawful authority to detain and deport Garcia. The case centered on a lawsuit filed by Abrego Garcia and his family, seeking his return after acknowledging that his deportation was erroneous. The U.S. Supreme Court was asked by President Donald Trump to pause the lower court's order requiring Abrego Garcia's return. A federal appeals court also declined to impose a freeze on the judge’s ruling, which mandated that he be returned by April 7, 2025. The Department of Justice further asserted that the deadline imposed by the judge complicated international negotiations regarding foreign relations, arguing the United States cannot compel El Salvador to act per U.S. court orders. The administration has portrayed Abrego Garcia as a potential threat linked to the gang MS-13, despite his claims of living peacefully in the U.S. for over a decade and having no criminal record. Recently, the Supreme Court decided not to fully intervene in the case, while acknowledging the government's request to partially vacate the ruling that required Garcia's return. However, they reinforced the necessity for the U.S. government to facilitate his release from Salvadoran custody and treat his case as if the deportation had never taken place. Justice Sonia Sotomayor and several other justices expressed concern over the government's actions, calling into question the legality behind Garcia's arrest and deportation. They noted that no legal justification had been provided for his removal and that his detention in El Salvador raises serious concerns. Garcia is currently detained at the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador, which is used for individuals associated with criminal gangs. The U.S. Supreme Court's ruling stressed that Abrego Garcia must receive all legal protections due, including notice, the right to counsel, and a hearing prior to any further removal actions. The overarching implications of this case reflect broader issues related to immigration policy, judicial authority, and the rights of individuals facing deportation.