DOJ Seeks Case Delays Amid U.S. Government Shutdown Impacting Kilmar Abrego Garcia

Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national wrongly deported to El Salvador earlier this year, is currently detained in the U.S. while fighting deportation and human smuggling charges. His lawyers argue that despite the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, his habeas corpus lawsuit challenging his detention must proceed based on constitutional protections that mandate courts continue hearing such cases. The Justice Department has requested a stay on his case, citing shutdown restrictions that prohibit federal employees from working except in emergencies, but Garcia opposes the delay. An immigration judge recently denied his motion to reopen his asylum case, with Garcia having 30 days to appeal. Garcia's attorneys have highlighted the harsh treatment he received in Salvadoran prison and the chaotic nature of the current administration's immigration enforcement, which has included plans to deport him to countries where he has no connections. Republican lawmakers have called for his deportation, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rule of law in his case.