U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis has taken issue with the Trump administration’s last-minute request for an extension in the deportation case of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member. The judge, sitting in Maryland, denied the Justice Department’s request for a 30-day extension, calling their actions a self-imposed burden due to their failure to comply with earlier court orders. Abrego Garcia, a Salvadorian migrant, was deported to El Salvador in an administrative error, a matter that the administration has acknowledged.
The judge criticized the Trump administration for waiting until the very last moment to file their extension request, noting that they put forth no effort to demonstrate a valid reason for the delay. Xinis also pointed out that the administration provided only two sentences to justify their need for more time, which she deemed insufficient. The court has already held five hearings on the case, and the defendants were well aware of the deadlines, making the current request appear insincere.
Hours after the denial, the Trump administration filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing a lack of jurisdiction. Xinis has not yet commented on this motion. The case has been a source of ongoing court contention, with the administration repeatedly delaying the submission of critical information. Xinis has expressed growing frustration with the administration’s apparent disregard for her orders, describing their submissions as vague, evasive, and incomplete.
The issue of Abrego Garcia’s status has drawn significant attention, particularly given the administration’s repeated allegations that he is a member of MS-13. However, no formal evidence has been presented to support these claims. Xinis has warned that the administration’s failure to comply with her discovery orders, which were meant to determine the legality of his deportation, could result in legal consequences.
The case is part of a broader legal battle between Trump officials and the courts over the use of the Alien Enemies Act, a 1798 wartime immigration law used to expedite the deportation of migrants. Despite earlier court orders from judges such as James Boasberg in the District of Columbia, the administration has not followed through on returning any of the deported migrants to the U.S. This has raised concerns about compliance with judicial decisions and the potential for contempt proceedings against the administration.
Xinis has indicated that she is increasingly frustrated with the administration’s apparent efforts to avoid transparency and accountability. Her recent comments, including her criticism of the administration’s deposition responses, highlight the growing tension between the judiciary and the executive branch. As the case moves forward, it will likely remain a focal point of legal and political scrutiny, particularly as it continues to test the limits of executive authority and judicial oversight.