DOJ Defies Court Over Garcia Deportation Case

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) contends that federal courts lack the authority to mandate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland resident mistakenly deported to El Salvador, arguing that such actions infringe on the executive branch's foreign policy privileges. The Supreme Court has instructed the Trump administration to remove domestic obstacles to his return but was vague on the specifics, leading to legal debates on the separation of powers. Abrego Garcia's legal team claims that his deportation was unlawful, despite an immigration judge's prior ruling protecting him from being sent to El Salvador. Meanwhile, a DOJ attorney, who admitted the deportation was erroneous, has been suspended, highlighting internal disagreements within the administration. The DOJ has requested the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to pause a district judge's order demanding immediate action on Abrego Garcia's return. This case underscores the tension between the judiciary's demands and the executive's control over immigration and foreign relations.