The Trump administration has once again contradicted previous statements made by White House officials, now acknowledging that the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland father and accused gang member, was the result of “an administrative error.”
This admission came in a Sunday court filing by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as they sought to dismiss Abrego Garcia’s civil case in federal court.
A Change in Position
The admission marks a stark contrast to earlier assertions from high-ranking Trump administration officials, including Stephen Miller, the White House deputy chief of staff, who had previously insisted that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was intentional.
In an April Fox News interview, Miller stated, “He was not mistakenly sent to El Salvador. This was the right person sent to the right place.”
However, the DOJ’s filing on Sunday made clear that the deportation, which took place without due process, was a mistake. The department called it a “one-off mistake,” explaining that it was not part of any broader policy, but rather an isolated error that had been corrected.
The DOJ’s filing argued that the civil case should be dismissed because Abrego Garcia has already been returned to the U.S. and the government has remedied the mistake.
Abrego Garcia’s Deportation and Legal Battle
Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador last month after being arrested and charged with unlawfully transporting migrants and conspiracy. The government had initially argued that his deportation was justified, but after his return, he filed a civil case, alleging that the deportation violated his legal protections.
His case centers around the claim that he had been granted “withholding of removal” and should not have been deported.
The DOJ now asserts that the case should be dismissed due to mootness, as Abrego Garcia has been returned to the U.S. and the error has been rectified.
The department has argued that the legal principle of “voluntary cessation” does not apply in this case, since the government is not halting an ongoing practice but rather correcting a single mistake.
Contradictions and Legal Fallout
This latest filing by the DOJ contradicts earlier statements, particularly from Stephen Miller, who had firmly defended the deportation. In April, Miller had argued that the deportation was not a mistake, and even claimed that Abrego Garcia was the correct person to be deported.
In addition to the contradictions over the deportation, a career prosecutor was suspended and later fired after admitting that Abrego Garcia had been removed “in error.” This admission further complicates the government’s position, especially after Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized the prosecutor for not “vigorously” defending the case on behalf of Homeland Security.
Abrego Garcia’s Treatment in Custody
Abrego Garcia’s civil lawsuit also details the alleged mistreatment he endured while in custody at the CECOT prison in El Salvador. The amended complaint filed by his attorneys describes “severe beatings,” “psychological torture,” and other dehumanizing conditions during his time in the prison.
A federal appeals court recently ordered the administration to facilitate the return of another migrant who had been deported in violation of a standing court order, further highlighting the issues surrounding the deportation process under the Trump administration.
Upcoming Legal Proceedings
The DOJ’s filing comes ahead of a scheduled hearing before U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis, who will review the case and determine the next steps.
As the legal battle continues, the government’s acknowledgment of the mistake and the contradictions surrounding the case raise significant questions about the deportation practices and due process protections for immigrants.
