Trump Cites State Secrets in Garcia Deportation Dispute

The Trump administration has invoked both the state secrets and deliberative process privileges to withhold documents in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who was wrongfully deported from Maryland in defiance of a judge’s order. U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has scheduled a hearing for May 16 and ordered both parties to submit legal briefings justifying these privileges. The government claims national security would be jeopardized by disclosure, but its rationale remains sealed, leading to criticism and court scrutiny over possible abuse of privilege to conceal wrongdoing. Judge Xinis has accused the administration of failing to comply with court orders and is demanding updates on efforts to facilitate Garcia’s return as previously mandated by the Supreme Court. The case is largely proceeding behind closed doors with ongoing depositions and a pending media motion to unseal records. This is at least the second recent instance of the Trump administration invoking state secrets privilege in immigration enforcement cases.