Mistakenly deported man's attorneys demand his return using Trump's own words

Source: Axios

7 hours ago


Attorneys arguing for the return of a Maryland resident whom the Trump administration erroneously deported to El Salvador highlighted in a Saturday court filing President Trump's comments that he would "bring somebody back" if directed to by the Supreme Court.

The big picture: The high court essentially ordered the administration to do just that, ruling on Thursday that officials must take steps to facilitate Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia's return to the United States.

The government has accused Abrego Garcia, who was legally living in Maryland with "withholding from removal" status, of being a member of MS-13, even though he has not been convicted of gang-related crimes.

Abrego Garcia was given "withholding from removal status" due to likelihood of harm in his native El Salvador.

Driving the news: Trump on Friday told reporters that if "the Supreme Court said bring somebody back I would do that."

He added, "I respect the Supreme Court"

Abrego Garcia's lawyers characterized the president's statement as an acknowledgment that the U.S. "has the power to facilitate Abrego Garcia's release from prison and return to the United States" in a Saturday motion for additional relief from the judge overseeing the case.

Despite the president's acknowledgment, the attorneys argued, "the Department of Justice and other Government agencies continue to resist this Court and the Supreme Court."

They're asking the court to order the government to take specific steps by the end of the day on Monday to comply with the injunction in the case and order expedited discovery of the government's actions to facilitate Abrego Garcia's return.

They further asked the court to order the administration show cause by Monday morning as to why it should not be held in contempt.

Read more: https://www.axios.com/2025/04/13/trump-maryland-man-deported-el-salvador