Federal Judge Grants DOJ One More Week in Abrego Garcia Deportation Showdown

A federal judge has given the Justice Department a seven-day extension to provide more details on its attempts to bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia—an undocumented immigrant and alleged MS-13 gang member—back to the United States. The order, issued by U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, comes as the case continues to spark fierce debate between Democrats and Republicans.

Judge Xinis, who made her decision "with the agreement of the parties," has also insisted that the administration keep filing daily status updates, despite the DOJ's request to pause that requirement. This move follows a stern warning from Xinis, who accused the government's lawyers of acting in "bad faith" for dodging her orders and using vague claims of privilege to avoid compliance. Her message was pretty clear: the stall tactics stop now.

Abrego Garcia, 29, was deported last month to El Salvador's infamous "Terrorism Confinement Center," after being labeled an MS-13 member and accused of domestic violence. The Trump administration argues his removal was justified, highlighting gang tattoos and an incident where Garcia was pulled over in Tennessee with eight passengers in an SUV—though he has never been criminally charged.

Garcia’s lawyers insist he’s not in MS-13, and officials in court have acknowledged his deportation was, at least initially, an administrative error. Yet, the tug-of-war continues. The Supreme Court and a federal court have demanded the government return Garcia to the U.S., ruling that his removal to El Salvador violated a 2019 withholding order designed to protect him from potential threats by rival gangs there.

Meanwhile, the Justice Department claims much of the information about Garcia's case is shielded by state secrets, attorney-client privilege, and government deliberations. Judge Xinis isn't buying it without specifics, demanding real evidence for each privileged detail rather than "boilerplate assertions."

The case has become a political lightning rod. Democrats, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland and several House members, have even traveled to El Salvador, urging Garcia's return. The administration, however, maintains that as an alleged gang member, Garcia is ineligible for relief—and Attorney General Pam Bondi says the only way he’s coming back is if El Salvador says so. In her words: "He is not coming back to our country."

Garcia entered the U.S. illegally in 2011 and was ordered deported in 2019, after multiple judges cited likely MS-13 ties. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez, accused him of domestic violence, adding another layer of controversy to the saga. As the legal chess game drags on, both sides are digging in, and the judge’s patience is clearly wearing thin.

The coming week will determine whether the DOJ can meet the court’s demands, or if this high-stakes immigration fight will escalate even further.