Trump administration challenged by court in deportation reversal
The Supreme Court of the United States has ordered the administration of President Donald Trump to "facilitate" the return of a man mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Despite the court's decision upholding the order, the government is not obligated to restore the deported man to the United States, reports CNN.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision requiring the Trump administration to "facilitate" the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen who was deported to El Salvador in March, according to CNN.
Although the decision was deemed a victory for the complainant, the court noted that it does not require the Trump administration to fully restore the man to the United States. Instead, the court's decision mandates taking steps aimed at facilitating his return.
Although the ruling makes clear that the district court can order the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return to the United States, it is maddeningly vague about exactly how it’s supposed to do so, said Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at Georgetown University Law Center.
Trump administration ignored court ruling
The case concerns the deportation of a man who illegally crossed the U.S. border in 2011, and his deportation to El Salvador raised concerns for his safety in his home country.
An immigration judge ordered the halt of the deportation in 2019, citing danger from a local gang. Nevertheless, the Trump administration initially ignored this ruling and sent him to El Salvador, which laid the foundation for further legal action.
The Trump administration argued that the court's decision violates the principles of separation of powers, emphasizing that only the president has the right to conduct foreign policy. The Supreme Court, while not requiring the immediate restoration of Abrego Garcia to the United States, noted that the administration must take all available steps to facilitate his return, which may involve negotiations with the Salvadoran government.
Liberal Supreme Court justices also criticized the Trump administration's decision, arguing that Garcia should be restored to the country without further delay.
They pointed to obligations arising from international law and the protection of individuals from violence. The justices emphasized that deportation should not be treated as an "oversight," but rather as a serious mistake that must be corrected as quickly as possible.
