Judge says deportation of man to El Salvador prison is ‘wholly lawless,’ with deadline to return him to America today

The Trump administration has until 11:59 p.m. Monday to return to the United States a Maryland man who the government admits was accidentally deported to a high-security prison in El Salvador.

The Trump administration has until 11:59 p.m. Monday to return to the United States a Maryland man who the government admits was accidentally deported to a high-security prison in El Salvador. District Judge Paula Xinis on Sunday rejected efforts from the Trump administration to pause an order for the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, claiming the removal of the Salvadoran metal worker was “wholly lawless,” and a “grievous error.” Xinis asserted on Sunday that her order remained “in full force and effect.” The Department of Justice has asked the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to put the ruling on hold. Abrego, whose attorneys say fled gang violence in El Salvador more than a decade ago, has been sent to CECOT, the country’s notorious mega prison. He was pulled over by federal agents and arrested on March 12, while his 5-year-old child sat in the back seat of his car. The government initially alleged Abrego was part of the MS-13 gang, but there is not a court case linking him to the group. Abrego’s case is just one of hundreds caught in legal crossfires with the US government as the administration continues to slash immigration numbers and deport migrants –– whether they entered the US legally or illegally. It is, however, the first time the Trump administration has admitted to an error related to its recent deportation flights to El Salvador. The fraught legal battle is also taking place amid a sudden round of visa revocations among international students at some of the country’s top universities, with college officials left unprepared and searching for answers from the government.