Federal Judge Orders Trump Administration to Return Deported MS-13 Suspect

A federal judge has issued a forceful ruling against the Trump administration, demanding the return of a Salvadoran man believed to be an MS-13 gang suspect, who was deported under questionable circumstances.

In a decision handed down early Sunday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis of Maryland sharply criticized federal officials for what she described as a “grievous error” that “shocks the conscience.” The judge, an appointee of President Obama, found that the administration wrongly deported the migrant to El Salvador last week despite pending legal proceedings and concerns about his safety.

According to the court’s findings, the man—suspected of MS-13 affiliation—was mistakenly removed from the U.S. and sent back to a country struggling with gang violence, where he was reportedly placed in one of El Salvador’s most dangerous prisons. Judge Xinis emphasized that the deportation took place in violation of due process, and she faulted government agencies for showing little urgency or willingness to correct the mistake.

The administration later claimed it had limited ability to retrieve the individual after he was removed from the country, but the judge dismissed that reasoning, suggesting it reflected a troubling disregard for legal obligations and human rights.

This incident adds to the broader controversy surrounding the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement policies, particularly as they relate to MS-13, a transnational criminal organization frequently cited by the former president as justification for mass deportations. However, legal experts note that even suspected gang members are entitled to due process under U.S. law.

Judge Xinis’s ruling not only demanded that the administration take immediate steps to bring the man back to the U.S., but also signaled that the court would continue to closely scrutinize how deportation procedures are being handled—especially in cases involving credible threats to safety or legal oversights.

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