Supreme court orders Trump to aid deported man's return
The Supreme Court of the United States has ordered the administration of President Donald Trump to "facilitate" the return of a man who was mistakenly deported to El Salvador. Despite the court's decision, the government is not obligated to return the deported man to the United States, according to reports by CNN.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court issued a decision requiring the Trump administration to "facilitate" the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran citizen deported in March, CNN reported.
Although the decision was deemed a victory for the complainant, the court noted that it does not compel the Trump administration to restore the man to the United States fully. Instead, it mandates taking steps to facilitate 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
This case concerns the deportation of a man who illegally crossed the U.S. border in 2011. His deportation to El Salvador raised concerns for his safety in his home country.
An immigration judge ordered a halt to the deportation in 2019, citing danger from a local gang. Nevertheless, the Trump administration ignored this ruling and sent him to El Salvador, laying 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 criticized the Trump administration's decision, arguing that Garcia should be restored to the United States immediately.
They pointed to obligations arising from international law and the necessity of protecting 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.
