Judge blasts DOJ state secrets claims in Abrego Garcia case: ‘Utter frustration’

Published May 16, 2025 6:23pm ET



GREENBELT, Maryland A federal judge on Friday sharply rebuked the Trump administration for its push to withhold details on what it has done to reverse the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the suspected MS-13 gang member deported to El Salvador as a result of an “administrative error.”

U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis said during a tense hearing that the administration had not provided sufficient information, from either senior officials or credible documents, to explain how it is facilitating the return of Salvadoran national Abrego Garcia, who was removed from the United States on March 15 despite an immigration judge’s order barring removal to his country of origin.

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