A federal judge, Paula Xinis, issued a ruling demanding the Trump administration return Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a suspected MS-13 gang member who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador last month.
Xinis condemned the administration’s actions, calling it a “grievous error” that “shocks the conscience.” The judge criticized officials for deporting Garcia in violation of a court order that allowed him to stay in the U.S., and for delivering him to a dangerous Salvadoran prison.
Xinis also rejected the Justice Department’s request to suspend her order while it appealed. The department continued to defend the deportation despite admitting the error, and the attorney handling the case was suspended for inadequate defense. The appeals court was asked to review the decision.
