A DOJ attorney who acknowledged a Salvadorian national was wrongly deported and struggled in court to explain why has been placed on administrative leave, multiple outlets reported.
The big picture: The government’s shocking admission that Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who was legally living in Maryland, was erroneously deported has sparked further concern about the questionable tactics the government has used amid its immigration crackdown.
- Abrego Garcia, who had “withholding from removal” status, was removed to El Salvador because of an “administrative error,” Justice Department attorneys wrote in a Monday filing.
- Veteran attorney Erez Reuveni, who is listed in court documents as the acting deputy director for the Office of Immigration Litigation, expressed candid frustration in court over the lack of information he had received from officials regarding Abrego Garcia’s arrest.
Driving the news: “At my direction, every Department of Justice attorney is required to zealously advocate on behalf of the United States,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement provided to several outlets regarding Reuveni’s reported suspension.
- Her statement continued, “Any attorney who fails to abide by this direction will face consequences.”
- Pressed during a Friday hearing under what legal authority Abrego Garcia was seized, Reuveni said he was “frustrated that I don’t have answers to a lot of these questions” and acknowledged Abrego Garcia should not have been deported.
- The Justice Department did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment.
The latest: A federal judge ordered Friday that the administration return Abrego Garcia to the U.S. by midnight Monday.
- The administration quickly appealed U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis’ order and has argued there’s little they can do to get him back.
- Salvadorian President Nayib Bukele responded to the news of Xinis’ order on social media with a gif of a confused-looking cartoon rabbit.
Catch up quick: Abrego Garcia was stopped by immigration agents on March 12 and was incorrectly informed that his status had changed.
- He has not been convicted of gang-related crimes, despite members of the administration accusing him of having such ties.
Between the lines: Xinis’ order that Abrego Garcia be returned tees up yet another high-profile battle between the executive and judicial branches as the administration lashes out against judges who have hindered its sweeping policies.
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