Trump admin suspends lawyer in case of Maryland man mistakenly deported for failing to ‘zealously advocate’
The Trump administration has taken action against a Justice Department lawyer for not vigorously advocating its position in a case involving the deportation of a Salvadoran man living in Maryland. Attorney General Pam Bondi placed Erez Reuveni, who represented the government in a recent hearing, on indefinite paid leave for admitting that the deportation of Maryland father Kilmar Abrego Garcia was a mistake.
In response to a ruling by US District Judge Paula Xinis ordering Garcia’s return to the US by Monday, the Trump administration filed an emergency appeal seeking to stay the decision. The appeal argued that the government cannot be forced to bring Garcia back from El Salvador, especially since he is a member of the MS-13 gang, a designated Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Despite acknowledging the administrative error in Garcia’s deportation, the administration defended its actions by alleging his involvement in criminal activities. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that foreign terrorists and illegal criminals have no legal protections in the US, and the administration will continue to deport them.
Garcia, who came to the US illegally in 2011 and sought asylum, was previously granted protection from deportation due to concerns about his safety in El Salvador. His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, a US citizen, has been advocating for his return since his arrest in March. Despite the government’s claims of Garcia’s gang ties, his lawyers argue that he had permission to work in the country and deny any affiliations with MS-13.
As the legal battle continues, Garcia remains incarcerated in an El Salvador prison, making it unclear how the government will comply with the court’s order for his return to the US. The case highlights the complex issues surrounding immigration enforcement and the challenges of balancing national security concerns with individual rights and legal protections.
