A Justice Department attorney has been placed on administrative leave after facing significant challenges in court regarding the Trump administration's controversial deportation of a Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, to El Salvador. This decision, confirmed by a department official, underscores the ongoing tensions between the judicial branch and the administration.
During the hearing, attorney Erez Reuveni expressed notable frustration as he struggled to provide the information requested by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis concerning the case of Abrego Garcia. Reuveni admitted that he was not receiving adequate support from his superiors, stating, "Abrego Garcia should not have been removed." He further emphasized his confusion over the circumstances of Garcia's initial arrest, remarking, "I am also frustrated that I also have no answers for you on a lot of these questions."
Following the hearing, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a statement confirming Reuveni's administrative leave, asserting, "At my direction, every Department of Justice attorney is required to zealously advocate on behalf of the United States. Any attorney who fails to abide by this direction will face consequences." This reinforces the department's commitment to maintaining a strong legal stance in immigration cases, particularly those involving deportations.
This incident is part of a larger pattern of friction between the Trump administration and the judicial system, with some judges criticizing the government's litigation strategies. When questioned by Judge Xinis about the lack of evidence supporting Abrego Garcia's arrest, Reuveni stated, “The absence of evidence speaks for itself,” highlighting the troubling aspect of the case.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador on March 15, despite being a protected legal resident who has lived in Maryland since 2011. In recent court filings, the government attributed his deportation to an administrative error. Following this error, Abrego Garcia filed a lawsuit seeking his return to the United States, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem contended that the government did not possess the authority to mandate his return.
Despite the government's claims, Judge Xinis ruled that the government must return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. by Monday at 11:59 p.m. The administration's officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have labeled Abrego Garcia as an MS-13 gang member; however, his attorney has countered that he has no criminal record in either the U.S. or El Salvador and fled his home country to escape gang violence.
Notably, an immigration judge previously barred Abrego Garcia from being returned to El Salvador in 2019, citing a high likelihood of persecution. In response to Judge Xinis' ruling, the Trump administration contended on Saturday that she did not have the authority to “engage with a foreign power” regarding Abrego Garcia's return and requested the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals to stay her order.
As this situation unfolds, Reuveni's name notably did not appear in the government's motion to stay Xinis' order, indicating further complications within the legal proceedings surrounding this high-profile deportation case.
