Mistakenly deported man's attorneys demand his return using Trump's own words
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Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, co-cousel for Kilmar Abrego Garcia, speaks to media after a hearing at U.S. District Courthouse on April 11 in Greenbelt, MD. He is flanked by members of Abrego Garcia's family. Photo: Pete Kiehart for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Attorneys arguing for the return of a Maryland resident whom the Trump administration erroneously deported to El Salvador highlighted in a Saturday court filing President Trump's comments that he would "bring somebody back" if directed to by the Supreme Court.
The big picture: The high court essentially ordered the administration to do just that, ruling on Thursday that officials must take steps to facilitate Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia's return to the United States.
- The government has accused Abrego Garcia, who was legally living in Maryland with "withholding from removal" status, of being a member of MS-13, even though he has not been convicted of gang-related crimes.
- Abrego Garcia was given "withholding from removal status" due to likelihood of harm in his native El Salvador.
Driving the news: Trump on Friday told reporters that if "the Supreme Court said bring somebody back I would do that."
- He added, "I respect the Supreme Court"
Abrego Garcia's lawyers characterized the president's statement as an acknowledgment that the U.S. "has the power to facilitate Abrego Garcia's release from prison and return to the United States" in a Saturday motion for additional relief from the judge overseeing the case.
- Despite the president's acknowledgment, the attorneys argued, "the Department of Justice and other Government agencies continue to resist this Court and the Supreme Court."
- They're asking the court to order the government to take specific steps by the end of the day on Monday to comply with the injunction in the case and order expedited discovery of the government's actions to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return.
- They further asked the court to order the administration show cause by Monday morning as to why it should not be held in contempt.
The other side: Justice Department attorneys said in a court filing Sunday: "The federal courts have no authority to direct the executive branch to conduct foreign relations in a particular way, or engage with a foreign sovereign in a given manner.
- "That is the 'exclusive power of the president as the sole organ of the federal government in the field of international relations."
- In a Saturday Truth Social post, Trump applauded Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele for having "graciously accepted into his Nation's custody some of the most violent alien enemies of the World."
- He added that "[t]hese barbarians" are in the "sole custody of El Salvador, a proud and sovereign Nation, and their future is up to President B and his Government."
- Trump confirmed he would meet with Bukele on Monday.
Zoom out: Abrego Garcia is "alive and secure" in El Salvador's notorious Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT) prison, the government confirmed in a Saturday filing to comply with U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis' order requiring the administration to give daily updates in the case.
- The status update was shared minutes after the 5 p.m. deadline set by the judge, multiple outlets noted.
Catch up quick: The administration turned to the Supreme Court in an effort to block Xinis' previous order to bring Abrego Garcia, who the government admitted was sent to El Salvador in an "administrative error," back to the U.S.
- The Justice Department last week argued that it would be "impracticable" to satisfy a court-ordered deadline to share details of how it plans to return the Maryland father hours after the Supreme Court ruled.
What's next: Xinis set a Tuesday hearing in the case.
Go deeper: Judge blasts government over mistakenly deporting Maryland man
Editor's note: This article has been updated with details of the Justice Department's Sunday court filing.
