Supreme Court ordered his return but Trump administration still hasn't brought Maryland man back from El Salvador after "administrative error"
A Maryland man remains detained in a foreign prison despite the highest court in America ordering his immediate return.
Wrongful Deportation Shock
Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia has lived in Maryland for nearly 15 years.
In March, he was suddenly arrested and placed on a deportation flight to El Salvador – a country a federal judge had previously ruled he shouldn't be returned to due to safety concerns.
The shocking twist? The Trump administration has admitted his deportation was simply an "administrative error."
Yet despite this acknowledgment and a Supreme Court order, Abrego Garcia remains detained in El Salvador with no clear timeline for his return.
A Legal Protection Ignored
Abrego Garcia's case has caused outrage among immigration advocates and legal experts.
While he initially entered the U.S. without legal status, a federal judge granted him protection from deportation in 2019.
This crucial legal protection was completely disregarded when authorities placed him on a flight with men the administration claimed were members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
Adding to the controversy, Abrego Garcia has no criminal record.
Supreme Court Intervention
The case quickly escalated to the highest court in the land.
Federal Judge Paula Xinis initially ordered the administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia's immediate return to the United States.
When the government resisted, the Supreme Court upheld Judge Xinis' order on Friday.
The judge then demanded daily updates on efforts to bring him back and directed officials to "take all available steps" to return him as soon as possible.
Administration's Response
Despite the Supreme Court's clear directive, the Trump administration requested more time to comply.
They argued they needed "a meaningful opportunity to review the Supreme Court's decision" before reporting what steps they would take.
This delay tactic has infuriated Abrego Garcia's legal team and family members, who have been desperately seeking information about his wellbeing.
Members of Congress have also gotten involved, with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus holding press conferences highlighting his case.
The Current Situation
After mounting pressure, the administration finally revealed Abrego Garcia's location on Saturday.
In a filing to Judge Xinis, Michael G. Kozak, a senior State Department official, confirmed what many feared:
"He is alive and secure in that facility. He is detained pursuant to the sovereign, domestic authority of El Salvador."
The facility in question? El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center.
This information came nearly 24 hours after the court-ordered deadline for updates on his status and return efforts.
The Waiting Game Continues
The revelation of Abrego Garcia's location is only the beginning of what his attorneys call an "overdue first step."
His lawyer, Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg, expressed frustration in a statement to NPR:
"We are incredulous. Twenty-four more hours and still no answers as to what they've done so far, and what they're planning to do going forward, to carry out the Supreme Court's ruling."
Murray Osorio PLLC, the immigration law firm representing Abrego Garcia, went further, calling the delay "a direct affront to the rule of law."
Despite the Supreme Court's clear mandate and multiple court orders, as of this writing, Kilmar Abrego Garcia remains imprisoned in El Salvador with no concrete timeline for his return to his family in Maryland.
His case continues to highlight the serious consequences of immigration enforcement errors and raises questions about the administration's willingness to comply with judicial orders, even from the nation's highest court.
