Trump Administration Sues All Maryland Federal Judges Over Deportation Injunctions
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has filed a lawsuit against all 15 federal judges in the state of Maryland, accusing the judiciary of enforcing an automatic injunction policy that halts deportations for immigrants involved in habeas corpus cases. This legal action marks a rare and significant escalation in the administration’s efforts to challenge judicial decisions that impede its immigration enforcement policies. The lawsuit, filed by attorneys representing the Trump administration, argues that the court’s policy of automatically issuing temporary injunctions in such cases is an unlawful overreach, violating established legal procedures.
The court’s policy, which has been in place since May, requires clerks to immediately enter temporary administrative injunctions in cases brought by alleged illegal immigrants who are challenging their detention. These injunctions, known as habeas corpus cases, temporarily block the DHS from deporting or altering the legal status of the immigrant in question for two business days. The administration’s attorneys asserted that the policy was an ‘egregy example of judicial overreach,’ highlighting that the courts should not determine how immigration enforcement is carried out.
The court’s order was issued to address scheduling challenges, as the increased volume of habeas corpus cases, especially those filed outside normal business hours, has created logistical and procedural difficulties for the judiciary. The order cited the growing number of cases involving detained immigrants who have challenged their detention or deportation. The court’s statement noted that the recent surge in such petitions has led to rushed and frustrating legal proceedings, as obtaining clear and accurate information about the location and status of the petitioners has proven challenging.
As part of its broader legal strategy, the administration has also requested that the judges involved in the case be recused, with the option of bringing in an outside judge or transferring the case to a different court district. This request underscores the administration’s frustration with the judiciary’s perceived interference in its immigration enforcement activities. The case has drawn significant attention, as it represents a new phase in the ongoing legal battles between the Trump administration and federal courts over immigration policy implementation.
Meanwhile, the case has been highlighted as a pivotal moment in the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda, which has faced numerous legal challenges from immigrants asserting their rights under U.S. immigration law. In Maryland, Judge Paula Xinis, who is now a defendant in this case, issued an order requiring the return of a Salvadoran national named Kilmar Abrego Garcia. Abrego Garcia was mistakenly deported to El Salvador in March but was later returned to face trafficking charges. This incident marked the first known case of the administration erroneously deporting an immigrant before affording them due process, raising concerns about the administration’s compliance with legal procedures.