Pam Bondi Issues Shocking Move
DOJ Suspends Lawyer for Not ‘Zealously Advocating’ the Government’s Position in Case of Maryland Man Mistakenly Deported
The Trump administration has suspended a Justice Department attorney following a ruling that a Maryland man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, must be returned to the U.S. after a mistaken deportation.
A Justice Department lawyer who was arguing the Trump administration case over a Maryland man mistakenly deported to El Salvador has been indefinitely suspended. https://t.co/Un26oNvrpP
— Brett Murphy (@brettmurphyx) April 6, 2025
Garcia, a Salvadoran national living in Maryland, was wrongfully deported last month, despite having protections against such an action. The incident has raised significant concerns about the handling of his case.
Erez Reuveni, the lawyer involved in the case, was placed on indefinite paid leave by Attorney General Pam Bondi’s office. Bondi emphasized that every DOJ attorney is required to “zealously advocate” for the government’s position.
Reuveni, in a hearing on Friday, admitted that Garcia’s deportation was a mistake, though the government still faces legal challenges over the issue.
The Trump administration moved quickly to address the situation, arguing that U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis’ ruling, which mandated Garcia’s return by Monday, could not be enforced. In an emergency appeal filed on Saturday, the government questioned the feasibility of complying with the judge’s order, as Fox News reported.
The appeal criticized the court’s injunction, arguing that the government had no control over Garcia’s current location in El Salvador.
The government’s legal filings claimed that forcing Garcia’s return was unrealistic, emphasizing that the U.S. has limited authority over actions taken by foreign governments. Moreover, the administration argued that Garcia, whom they described as a member of the MS-13 gang, should not be allowed to remain in the U.S.
MS-13 is recognized as a foreign terrorist organization, and the government believes Garcia’s deportation was justified due to his alleged criminal affiliations.
Garcia, who had come to the U.S. illegally in 2011, had been granted protection from deportation after an immigration judge ruled he would face harm if sent back to El Salvador.
His asylum claim had been denied, but he was allowed to remain in the country under specific conditions. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not appeal the decision at the time.
Despite the administration’s stance, Garcia’s legal team strongly refutes the claim that he is involved with MS-13. They argue that Garcia had a valid work permit and had been employed as a sheet metal apprentice in Maryland.
His wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, a U.S. citizen, has been vocal in her efforts to bring Garcia back, asserting that the government’s accusations are not supported by adequate evidence.
Garcia was arrested in an IKEA parking lot on March 12 while his young son was in the car. His attorneys maintain that he has no gang ties, and the administration’s claims lack sufficient proof.
The case highlights broader concerns about the Trump administration’s handling of immigration policies and its commitment to deporting individuals with alleged ties to criminal organizations.
The situation is complicated by Garcia’s current incarceration in a prison in El Salvador, where he remains under the control of the Salvadoran government. The U.S. government has acknowledged the deportation error, but the legal battle continues over whether Garcia should be allowed to return.
The Trump administration has expressed its determination to remove individuals associated with criminal organizations from the U.S.
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