Supreme Court rules Trump admin must facilitate return of wrongfully deported Maryland man Kilmar Abrego Garcia

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that the Trump administration must “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the wrongfully deported Maryland man, to the US, but scrapped the deadline set by a lower court for his homecoming.In a unanimous decision, the high court left part of Biden-appointed Maryland District Court Judge Paula Xinis’ order in effect but remanded the case back to her for clarification on exactly how the government should “effectuate” his release from a notorious El Salvador mega-prison. The justices noted that the Trump administration’s emergency request to stay Xinis’ April 7 deadline for Abrego Garcia’s return is “effectively granted” because the deadline already passed.Abrego Garcia, whom the Trump administration suspects of being a member of the ruthless MS-13 gang, has been held at the brutal Center for Terrorism Confinement (CECOT) in El Salvador since last month. His deportation was acknowledged by the Trump administration to have been “illegal” because he was “subject to a withholding order forbidding his removal to El Salvador,” according to the high court. “The [lower court] order properly requires the Government to ‘facilitate’ Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador,” read the opinion. “The intended scope of the term ‘effectuate’ in the District Court’s order is, however, unclear, and may exceed the District Court’s authority,” it continued.

“The District Court should clarify its directive, with due regard for the deference owed to the Executive Branch in the conduct of foreign affairs.”“For its part, the Government should be prepared to share what it can concerning the steps it has taken and the prospect of further steps.” The Trump administration, however, contends that it “cannot guarantee success in sensitive international negotiations” ov...