Judge Orders U.S. to Repatriate Mistakenly Deported Salvadoran Immigrant

Kilmar Abrego García remains detained in a Salvadoran mega-prison as the Trump administration resists a federal order to bring him back by April 7.

Kilmar Abrego García, a legally protected immigrant, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador on March 15, 2025, under the Trump administration’s use of the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.
A federal judge, Paula Xinis, ruled on April 4 that García’s deportation was illegal and life-threatening, ordering his return to the U.S. by April 7.
The Trump administration claims it lacks authority to retrieve García from Salvadoran custody, despite admitting his deportation was an administrative error.
García is detained in a Salvadoran mega-prison housing gang members, raising urgent safety concerns highlighted by his legal team and human rights advocates.
The administration maintains unsubstantiated claims that García is a gang member, a position criticized for lacking evidence and violating legal protections.