Fourth Circuit Denies Trump Administration's Stay Request in Abrego Garcia Case

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously denied the Trump administration's request to halt a lower court order requiring the government to facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who had been deported to El Salvador despite having protected status in the U.S. The court's opinion, authored by Judge J. Harvie Wilkinson III, strongly criticized the government's actions, asserting that deporting residents to foreign prisons without due process undermines constitutional principles. The judges rejected the administration's arguments as both 'extraordinary and premature,' emphasizing that allegations against Abrego Garcia, such as claims of criminal affiliation, must be proven in court rather than assumed. The ruling also underscored the judiciary's role in ensuring due process and declined to interfere with the district judge's efforts to implement the Supreme Court's guidance, despite the executive branch's assertions of authority. The government conceded that Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported and argued it was unable to secure his return due to El Salvadoran authorities' refusal, but the court maintained that rectifying the error was warranted. The decision reflects a rare display of judicial emotion and a firm defense of constitutional liberties in the face of executive overreach.