Federal Judge threatens contempt as Trump administration faces pressure over deportation case

Trump administration provide evidence of its compliance with a court ruling to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the United States.

(NBC)- Trump administration provide evidence of its compliance with a court ruling to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia back to the United States. The judge signaled growing frustration with the administration’s lack of action, stating that contempt proceedings may be considered if steps are not taken soon. Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father of three, was deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador in what the Justice Department initially described as an “administrative error.”

“Enough is enough. My family can’t be robbed from another day without seeing Kilmar,” said Jennifer Vasquez Sura, his wife.

The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that the administration must facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return. However, the White House argues that El Salvador must first initiate his release. “He’s from El Salvador, so that’s a decision up to El Salvador,” said President Trump. The administration now contends that Abrego Garcia was not mistakenly deported, citing a previous judge’s ruling linking him to the MS-13 gang — a claim his attorneys strongly dispute, pointing to questionable testimony from a confidential informant. Notably, Abrego Garcia has never been criminally convicted in either the U.S. or El Salvador.

After entering the U.S. illegally in 2011, he was granted protected status in 2019 due to the life-threatening risks he could face if returned to El Salvador. Abrego Garcia had been living with his family in Maryland. At a town hall, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) voiced strong support for his return, stating: “To work, to bring him home.”