The Trump administration accidentally sent a Salvadorian immigrant to a notorious Salvadorian prison and says it can’t do anything to get him back.
That’s even though the man had protected immigration status in the U.S., specifically barring him from being sent back to that country for fear of persecution.
On Monday, in a filing in Maryland federal court, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) admitted to mistakenly sending Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to El Salvador’s notoriously brutal CECOT prison.
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The Trump administration argues that because the man is no longer in U.S. custody, a U.S. court lacks jurisdiction to issue orders regarding his detention and release.
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The administration has acknowledged that “many” of the over 200 Venezuelans sent to El Salvador did not have a prior criminal record.
This is disgusting.
And, yes, the cruelty is the point. It's less "we can't help him" than "no one will help when we do it to you."
Judge Xinis called Mr Garcia's deportation "an illegal act" when issuing her order on Friday. She said he must be returned by Monday.
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In a post on X, White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller referred to Judge Xinis as a "Marxist", who "now thinks she's president of El Salvador".
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "We suggest the Judge contact President [Nayib] Bukele because we are unaware of the judge having jurisdiction or authority over the country of El Salvador."
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Mr Garcia's lawyer said the claims by the Trump administration that his client could not be returned were "outrageous".
"They're coming before this court and saying, 'We've tried nothing and we're all out of options,'" Mr Sandoval-Moshenberg told Judge Xinis.
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The government lawyer conceded that Mr Garcia "should not have been removed", according to CBS News, the BBC's US partner.
"There is no warrant for his arrest. There is no statement of probable cause," Judge Xinis said. "What is the actual document that got this process started?"
Mr Reuveni said he did "not have that order. It is not on the record".
The justice department lawyer noted that, in his view, "the government made a choice here to produce no evidence", adding that this "absence of evidence speaks for itself".
This incident alone would put any normal presidency in jeopardy. Yet now it is just a minor aside in the long list of abuses and anti-constitutional actions.
" Hey OP, listen to my advice alright." -Tha General "“I like taking the guns early...to go to court would have taken a long time. So you could do exactly what you’re saying, but take the guns first, go through due process second.” -President Donald Trump. "...To guard, protect, and maintain his liberty, the freedman should have the ballot; that the liberties of the American people were dependent upon the Ballot-box, the Jury-box, and the Cartridge-box, that without these no class of people could live and flourish in this country." - Frederick Douglass MYT
Exactly. The more actions like this that go unanswered -and- daily life just keeps humming along? It's tacit approval.
Remember how two weeks ago there was a DoD scandal about the use of Signal? That's all been forgotten because of "Liberation" day - along with the random people that have disappeared into ICE or are now in a foreign country and will likely never be heard of again.
The trick all along has been to just keep doing outrageous things because the average person (and certainly the legal system) just cannot keep up.
Smoove_B wrote: Sat Apr 05, 2025 10:43 am
Exactly. The more actions like this that go unanswered -and- daily life just keeps humming along? It's tacit approval.
Remember how two weeks ago there was a DoD scandal about the use of Signal? That's all been forgotten because of "Liberation" day - along with the random people that have disappeared into ICE or are now in a foreign country and will likely never be heard of again.
The trick all along has been to just keep doing outrageous things because the average person (and certainly the legal system) just cannot keep up.
They learned this trick during the first Trump administration. It's just that now what they're doing and what we're forgetting is so much worse.
Donald Trump's gold immigration cards are becoming a reality.
On Thursday, April 3, the president posed with the first "Trump Card" — a $5 million green card alternative that would allow wealthy immigrants to be admitted to the United States — while speaking to reporters on Air Force One. He projected that such cards, decorated with his own image, will be available in "less than two weeks, probably."
"Five million. For five million dollars, this could be yours," Trump said, holding the card up for all to see.
"You know what that card is?" he continued, waiting for reporters to offer their guesses. "It's the gold card. The Trump card, gold card."
So when did Congress approve this and how does this benefit the nation?
Donald Trump's gold immigration cards are becoming a reality.
On Thursday, April 3, the president posed with the first "Trump Card" — a $5 million green card alternative that would allow wealthy immigrants to be admitted to the United States — while speaking to reporters on Air Force One. He projected that such cards, decorated with his own image, will be available in "less than two weeks, probably."
"Five million. For five million dollars, this could be yours," Trump said, holding the card up for all to see.
"You know what that card is?" he continued, waiting for reporters to offer their guesses. "It's the gold card. The Trump card, gold card."
So when did Congress approve this and how does this benefit the nation?
Something in the Bible about graven images, maybe some Mark of the Beast vibes…
"Who's going to tell him that the job he's currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?"
-Michelle Obama 2024 Democratic Convention
Wise words of warning from Smoove B: Oh, how you all laughed when I warned you about the semen. Well, who's laughing now?
$iljanus wrote: Sun Apr 06, 2025 5:57 pm
Something in the Bible about graven images, maybe some Mark of the Beast vibes…
I'm sure that Trump has dreamed of having his face on money his whole life. Now that cash is less important, he has found a way to get himself on a five million dollar bill.
he Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Monday to intervene in an ongoing legal battle over a Maryland man who was mistakenly arrested and removed to El Salvador last month.
The Justice Department's request for emergency relief from the high court comes as it faces a court-ordered 11:59 p.m. deadline to return the man, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, to the U.S.
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e Trump administration appealed the district court's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit and asked it to swiftly put Xinis' order requiring Abrego Garcia to be returned to the U.S. on hold.
Sauer then sought emergency relief from the Supreme Court. His request for the high court to block Xinis' decision came just before the 4th Circuit rejected the administration's request to step into the dispute.
The solicitor general, who was confirmed to the role last week, called the district court's decision "unprecedented and indefensible," and claimed the the lower courts are trying to "seize control over foreign relations, treat the Executive Branch as a subordinate diplomat, and demand that the United States let a member of a foreign terrorist organization into America tonight."
The Trump administration has released very little information about the Venezuelan migrants sent to prison in El Salvador. But internal government documents obtained by 60 Minutes and public records indicate that an overwhelming majority have no apparent criminal convictions or even criminal charges.
The Trump administration says just because the migrants don't have criminal records does not mean they are not in a gang and are not dangerous. Border czar Tom Homan has said that immigration agents spent hours conducting rigorous checks on each of the men to confirm they are members of Tren de Aragua.
But, after cross-referencing the internal documents with domestic and international court filings, news reports and arrest records, 60 Minutes could not find criminal records for 75% of the Venezuelans now sitting in prison in El Salvador.
The analysis did show that at least 22% of the men on the list do have criminal records in the U.S. or abroad. Most of the offenses are non-violent, such as theft, shoplifting and trespassing. About a dozen are accused of more serious crimes, including murder, rape, assault and kidnapping.
For 3% of those deported, it is unclear whether a criminal record exists.
Alefroth wrote: Mon Apr 07, 2025 1:22 pm
How I'd love to see SCOTUS smack him down hard. I feel like maybe this case has the best shot at that.
Even if they do, I imagine this would be one of those "They made their ruling - now let them enforce it" situations. The administration will do whatever it takes to avoid giving those people the opportunity to come back and spill the beans on the conditions at the gulag.
he Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Monday to intervene in an ongoing legal battle over a Maryland man who was mistakenly arrested and removed to El Salvador last month.
The Justice Department's request for emergency relief from the high court comes as it faces a court-ordered 11:59 p.m. deadline to return the man, Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, to the U.S.
...
e Trump administration appealed the district court's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 4th Circuit and asked it to swiftly put Xinis' order requiring Abrego Garcia to be returned to the U.S. on hold.
Sauer then sought emergency relief from the Supreme Court. His request for the high court to block Xinis' decision came just before the 4th Circuit rejected the administration's request to step into the dispute.
The solicitor general, who was confirmed to the role last week, called the district court's decision "unprecedented and indefensible," and claimed the the lower courts are trying to "seize control over foreign relations, treat the Executive Branch as a subordinate diplomat, and demand that the United States let a member of a foreign terrorist organization into America tonight."
I hope they are able to get this guy released before he’s killed. And if he is it’s yet another thing this administration will get away with without any consequences.
"Who's going to tell him that the job he's currently seeking might just be one of those Black jobs?"
-Michelle Obama 2024 Democratic Convention
Wise words of warning from Smoove B: Oh, how you all laughed when I warned you about the semen. Well, who's laughing now?
What is the Trump administration actually arguing? That they have the right to disappear people without due process? That they don't have to listen to judges? Both?
Alefroth wrote: Mon Apr 07, 2025 6:09 pm
I think they are arguing they don't have the jurisdiction to bring him back now. As if legal authority is now important.
That's absurd. The "jurisdiction" is diplomacy.
"Hey El Salvador. You like the military support you're getting from us? We need that guy back. Thanks."
In any other administration this would be Boom, Done. Trump is simply pushing his own authoritarianism here.
The Attorney General is doubling down and accusing the guy of being a terrorist. I think it just boils down to a Trumpian inability to own up to a mistake. They insist that they had the right to do what they did and that he deserved to be deported, facts and courts be damned.
"What? What?What?" -- The 14th Doctor
It's not enough to be a good player... you also have to play well. -- Siegbert Tarrasch
Max Peck wrote: Mon Apr 07, 2025 6:13 pm
The Attorney General is doubling down and accusing the guy of being a terrorist. I think it just boils down to a Trumpian inability to own up to a mistake. They insist that they had the right to do what they did and that he deserved to be deported, facts and courts be damned.
Yeah. But those are just justifications. What they really are arguing is that they have the right to disappear people and that judges can't stop them.
(I don't think whether someone actually "deserves" to be deported even crosses their mind, except insofar as *everyone* they dislike deserves to be deported.)
I'm trying to consider just how truly vile of a human being you would have to be to order a man snatched off the street, send him to rot in an El Salvadorian hellhole prison with no due process, have overwhelming evidence you fucked up and he's innocent, and yet somehow STILL be arguing that he should have to stay there because of the shit that you just entirely made up. All to avoid admitting that you made a mistake.
The mind truly boggles at how utterly horrible every one of these people really are.
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.
Skinypupy wrote: Mon Apr 07, 2025 6:51 pm
I'm trying to consider just how truly vile of a human being you would have to be to order a man snatched off the street, send him to rot in an El Salvadorian hellhole prison with no due process, have overwhelming evidence you fucked up and he's innocent, and yet somehow STILL be arguing that he should have to stay there because of the shit that you just entirely made up. All to avoid admitting that you made a mistake.
The mind truly boggles at how utterly horrible every one of these people really are.
The cruelty is the point.
After all, if they let this innocent guy out of Hell, won't that just encourage [insert ideological opponent here]s by making them think *they* might get out of Hell?
In 5-4 ruling, court laid down terms for invoking Alien Enemies Act, stating any challenges to law must take place in Texas
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Any challenges to the wartime law, called the Alien Enemies Act, must take place in Texas, where the migrants were held, and not in Washington DC, the court said.
In a 5-4 ruling, the court granted the Trump administration’s request to lift a Washington DC-based judge’s order temporarily blocking the deportations.
However, the court did not immediately address whether the administration improperly utilized the act, writing in its order instead that such a determination must be made in Texas court: “The detainees are confined in Texas, so venue is improper in the District of Columbia.”
Under that theory, they’re no longer detained in Texas. Terrible logic.
"A lie can run round the world before the truth has got its boots on." -Terry Pratchett, The Truth "The presence of those seeking the truth is infinitely to be preferred to those who think they've found it." -Terry Pratchett, Monstrous Regiment
The leader of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that his dream for the agency is squads of trucks rounding up immigrants for deportation the same way that Amazon trucks crisscross American cities delivering packages.
“We need to get better at treating this like a business,” Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said, explaining he wants to see a deportation process “like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings.”
Just vile.
When darkness veils the world, four Warriors of Light shall come.
The leader of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that his dream for the agency is squads of trucks rounding up immigrants for deportation the same way that Amazon trucks crisscross American cities delivering packages.
“We need to get better at treating this like a business,” Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said, explaining he wants to see a deportation process “like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings.”
Just vile.
They'll treat their cargo with the same care as Amazon, too.
The leader of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that his dream for the agency is squads of trucks rounding up immigrants for deportation the same way that Amazon trucks crisscross American cities delivering packages.
“We need to get better at treating this like a business,” Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said, explaining he wants to see a deportation process “like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings.”
Just vile.
They'll treat their cargo with the same care as Amazon, too.
This article interviews flight attendants with a small airline that has been contracted by ICE to do deportation flights. Deportees are routinely shackled in their seats and treated like prisoners. (The ICE guards are, predictably, total assholes to the flight attendants.)
A flight attendant's most important job is to manage the safe evacuation of passengers after an emergency or damaging landing. When attendants asked how they were supposed to evacuate shackled passengers from a burning or sinking plane, they were told basically to let them die.
The leader of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that his dream for the agency is squads of trucks rounding up immigrants for deportation the same way that Amazon trucks crisscross American cities delivering packages.
“We need to get better at treating this like a business,” Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said, explaining he wants to see a deportation process “like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings.”
The leader of Immigration and Customs Enforcement said that his dream for the agency is squads of trucks rounding up immigrants for deportation the same way that Amazon trucks crisscross American cities delivering packages.
“We need to get better at treating this like a business,” Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons said, explaining he wants to see a deportation process “like (Amazon) Prime, but with human beings.”
Just vile.
So, free returns? Yay!
Cook it's books, bankrupt the agency, and sell it's parts to other departments?
Earlier this week, Michigan-based attorney Amir Makled was detained by federal immigration agents while returning home from a family vacation to the Dominican Republic.
On Sunday at the Detroit Metro Airport, Makled — who is a U.S. citizen — attempted to pass through customs with his wife and children. The rest of his family was able to enter the country without issue. But when Makled's turn came, he overheard one of the agents call for assistance from the "Tactical Terrorism Response Team."
"My heart fell into my stomach at that point, I was so concerned and worried," Makled told NPR.
Border agents pressured Makled to hand over his cell phone. He refused. After more than 90 minutes of back-and-forth, he eventually showed agents his contacts list. He was eventually released. Makled says he was never given a reason for his detainment.
However, one of his current clients is a student who has been charged in connection to a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Michigan.
A total of 22 current and former international students at the University of Michigan have had their visas revoked or their right to remain in the country legally terminated by the federal government, according to a Wednesday afternoon statement signed by UM President Santa Ono and other top administrators.
“The federal government has not shared details on the specific reasons for these visa revocations or SEVIS record terminations,” the statement said, referring to the records in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. “Please know the university has not provided lists or other identifying information to federal immigration or law-enforcement authorities relating to these students and graduates.”
The changes impacted 12 current students and 10 recent graduates completing something called “optional practical training,” during which international students are permitted to work in the U.S. without obtaining a separate work visa.
They're capable or targeted precision when they want to be while they also want to set up meat grinding lines "like Amazon"
LordMortis wrote: Thu Apr 10, 2025 12:27 am
Cook it's books, bankrupt the agency, and sell it's parts to other departments?
That sounds more like Leon than Bezos.
It's mostly about the Chaos Goblin and wanting the US to run like businesses run by the GOP Administration as well as the private equity share holders in this GOP Administration.
Facing a deadline from an immigration judge to turn over evidence for its attempted deportation of Columbia University activist Mahmoud Khalil, the federal government has instead submitted a brief memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, citing the Trump administration’s authority to expel noncitizens whose presence in the country damages U.S. foreign policy interests.
The two-page memo, which was obtained by The Associated Press, does not allege any criminal conduct by Khalil, a legal permanent U.S. resident and graduate student who served as spokesperson for campus activists last year during large demonstrations against Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and the war in Gaza.
Rather, Rubio wrote Khalil could be expelled for his beliefs.
Donald Trump’s Immigrations and Customs Enforcement has proudly announced that if it crosses the border illegally, they will stop it. This includes people, money, products, and… ideas?
In posts published — and later deleted — on X and Instagram on Thursday, ICE declared that it would stop any “ideas” that tried to enter the U.S. “illegally.” What idea is de-facto illegal in the United States? None, but that hasn’t stopped the Trump administration from increasingly targeting individuals for detention and removal based on their ideology and political beliefs.
"What? What?What?" -- The 14th Doctor
It's not enough to be a good player... you also have to play well. -- Siegbert Tarrasch
