Deported "Maryland Man" Attorneys, DOJ Face Judge After El Salvador Says He Won't be Returned

What Happened?

Attorneys for the Justice Department and a mistakenly deported Maryland man met Tuesday, in federal court, amid criticism the government faces following a Supreme Court ruling.

The higher court temporarily paused U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis' order that imposed a midnight deadline to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia.

Chief Justice John Roberts granted the 'administrative stay' to remain in place 'pending further order of the undersigned or of the court.'

Ahead of Tuesday’s hearing, Abrego Garcia’s attorneys argued that the federal government violated the Supreme Court’s order.

The plaintiffs stated in the new court filing that the government made no meaningful attempts to secure his release.

They also challenged the amount of authority the government has asserted on the matter.

Judge Xinis ordered the Trump administration last week to provide her with updates on Abrego Garcia's whereabouts.

White House's attorneys claimed Xinis' ruling 'sets the United States up for failure' because it cannot compel El Salvador to 'follow a federal judge's bidding.'

Why it Matters

El Salvador President, Nayib Bukele, joined President Donald Trump Monday, in the Oval Office, to address reporters' concerns about Abrego Garcia.

President Bukele said that Abrego Garcia would not be returned and was sent to a Salvadoran supermax prison.

Abrego Garcia was sent to El Salvador on March 15 despite a 2019 protective order that some say should have prevented his departure from the U.S.

Bukele stated it was 'preposterous' to allude that he would try and 'smuggle' Abrego Garcia back illegally into the U.S.

He explained he was 'not going to do it' and that El Salvador is 'not very fond of releasing terrorists.'

NBC News reported that Abrego Garcia has never been charged criminally in the U.S. or El Salvador.

Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, expressed concern after not understanding 'the confusion' over the high court's order.

He added that the foreign policy of the U.S. is conducted by the president, not by a court.

'No court in the United States has a right to conduct a foreign policy of the United States' Rubio said.

The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration 9-0.

They upheld part of their decision that required the government to 'facilitate' Abrego Garcia's release from Salvadoran custody.

The justices added, the district court should clarify its directive toward the Trump administration.

How it Affects You

Judge Xinis moves to require the Trump administration to take all available steps to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return to the U.S. 'as soon as possible.'

El Salvadoran's Bukele said he does not 'have the power' to do so.

Trump states it's up to the Salvadoran government.

The U.S. is reportedly paying the Salvadoran government $6 million to house migrants at CECOT.

ICE agents have enforced over 32,000 arrests within the first 50 days of the current administration.

The Trump administration aims to ramp up its mass deportation efforts despite resistance by lower court orders that continue to challenge those policies.