Jeffries Calls for Contempt Over Deportation of El Salvadoran Man

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries expressed the opinion that the Supreme Court should consider holding the Trump administration in contempt. This was in response to the deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, an El Salvadorian citizen and former Maryland resident.

The Supreme Court had previously upheld a lower court's decision regarding Abrego Garcia. The court's ruling was to facilitate his return from an El Salvador prison. Federal officials had sent him there last month along with hundreds of other suspected criminals and gang members.

Jeffries stated that the Supreme Court had made it clear that Abrego Garcia should not have been deported. He further asserted that the Trump administration acknowledged this fact. He believes the administration needs to comply with the Supreme Court's directive. He also suggested that the Supreme Court should aggressively enforce its order, potentially including contempt proceedings.

The Supreme Court acknowledged that a 2019 withholding order was in place, preventing Abrego Garcia's removal to El Salvador. The court emphasized that the removal was therefore illegal. The government is required to facilitate his release from custody in El Salvador and treat his case as if he had never been deported.

In 2019, an immigration judge determined that Garcia had not sufficiently refuted evidence of MS-13 affiliation. This led to a withholding order, allowing his removal to any country other than El Salvador due to a threat from a rival gang.

The Trump administration has faced criticism for sending Abrego Garcia back to his home country. Initially, Trump officials acknowledged that his removal was due to an administrative error.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller stated that two courts had found Abrego Garcia to be an MS-13 gang member. He was deported after Trump declared the gang a terrorist organization. Miller explained that this declaration made Abrego Garcia ineligible for any form of immigration relief in the United States. He also noted that Abrego Garcia had an outstanding deportation order.

Jeffries also expressed support for Senator Chris Van Hollen's efforts to meet with the El Salvadorian President. Van Hollen is working to have Abrego Garcia returned to the U.S. The El Salvadorian President met with Trump at the White House for a summit focused on immigration. Jeffries believes the president should accept the meeting request and discuss Abrego Garcia's return.

Senator Van Hollen also wants to see the Trump administration held in contempt. He stated that it is unjust and illegal for Abrego Garcia to be detained in an El Salvador prison. He supports the families and lawyers who have requested that the administration's lawyers be held in contempt. He believes the administration is snubbing the courts.