Applaud Judge Xinis for Demanding Accountability

We commend and applaud U.S. District Court Judge Paula Xinis for her firm stand in holding the Trump administration accountable for its failure to act in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia — a Maryland resident wrongfully deported to a notorious prison in El Salvador despite a 2019 court order protecting him from removal.

Judge Xinis’s ruling this week — ordering depositions from key Trump officials and blasting the administration’s inaction — is a vital assertion of judicial oversight in the face of bureaucratic negligence and disregard for due process. Her insistence on real answers and tangible steps toward Abrego Garcia’s return is not only a defense of individual rights but a strong signal that the courts will not tolerate political games played with people’s lives.

Abrego Garcia has been separated from his wife and children for over a month, with no communication since being imprisoned. Despite the Supreme Court upholding Judge Xinis’s directive to “facilitate” his return, the administration has refused to take meaningful action — even as it continues funding the very prison where he is being held.

Judge Xinis’s leadership and clarity in this case reaffirm the role of the judiciary in checking abuses of power and protecting the rights of individuals caught in a broken immigration system. Her message was clear: there will be no tolerance for delay, excuses, or obstruction.

We stand in support of Judge Xinis’s efforts to uncover the truth, enforce the rule of law, and bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia home. Her commitment to justice is a beacon of hope for families and communities fighting to be seen, heard, and protected.