Trump attorneys anger judge by claiming ‘state secrets’ keeps them from sharing details on Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s case

 

The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has placed the Trump administration in a delicate position, facing criticism for its use of the "state secrets" privilege to avoid complying with a court order requiring his return to the United States.

Abrego Garcia, a construction worker from Maryland, was deported to El Salvador in March, despite a 2019 court order protecting him from deportation due to the threat of persecution by a local gang. This deportation violated that order, leading his American wife to sue the government, resulting in a return order from Judge Paula Xinis on April 4.

However, Department of Justice attorneys argued on Friday that revealing details about the efforts to bring him back could compromise national security, invoking the "state secrets" privilege. This doctrine is typically reserved for cases involving military and intelligence operations.

Judge Xinis, however, challenged this position, noting that the government has not provided sufficient evidence to justify this protection. "This is basically 'take my word for it,'" Xinis said, suggesting that the government is hiding its lack of action behind a curtain of secrecy.

Abrego Garcia's attorneys, on the other hand, argued that this strategy is simply a tactic to delay the process and avoid complying with the return order. Andrew Rossman, one of his attorneys, stated that "simply saying 'national security' is not enough" to bypass a court order.

The case remains a critical test of the limits of executive power in immigration matters and the balance between national security and civil rights.