LOS ANGELES.–Garcia will be found eventually in the maze known as the Center for Confinement of Terrorism [CECOT], a 40,000-man facility, the largest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. Finding Garcia could take some time, giving that the White House isn’t in control of the census at CECOT. Garcia’s family sued in federal court to “facilitate and effectuate” his return to Maryland, something complicated by the fact that the detention is not in the U.S. White House officials objected to the word “effectuate” meaning they must get Garcia back immediately. Supreme Court said in its bench order to the White House must try to facilitate Garcia’s return to his home in Maryland. Judge Xinis, pressed by the family’s attorney. “The government continues to delay, obfuscate and flout court orders, while a man’s life and safety is at risk,” said Garcia’s attorneys.
When it comes to holding various illegal Latin American gang members found in the United States, the El Salvador prison only made sense. When it comes to locating prisoners or having they repatriated to the United States it complicates the picture, especially for families wanting instant answers. Trump Justice Department found the District Court’s demands unreasonable. “We simply believe that the court’s deadlines are impracticable but that is not to say that the government is not intending to comply with the Supreme Court’s order,” said Drew Ensign, attorney with the Justice Department. Ensign said the Justice Department would give the District Court updates as they become available. Whatever bureaucracy in El Salvador, it’s going to take time to locate Garcia and file the paperwork needed to return him to the United States. Xinis acts like it’s a deliberate Justice Department delay.
Xinis must stop accusing the White House of delaying the Supreme Court order to work on returning Garcia from El Salvador. “I’m not sure what to take from the fact that the Supreme Court has spoken quite clearly and yet I can’t get an answer today about what you’ve done, if anything, in the past,” Xinis said. Xinis ordered Ensign to provide daily updates, even if they say the deadlines are unrealistic. Supreme Court said the lower court should show the White House “with due regard to deference,” to stop badgering the Justice Department. Once the government decides to use a foreign prison system, of course it’s going to delay the processing of returns, requiring specific paperwork in a foreign detention facility. Federal judges need to inform plaintiff’s attorneys of the limitations in getting information. Foreign affairs operate differently than domestic institutions.
With Lake Riley Act signed by President Donald Trump Jan. 29, there are sensitivities to violent acts performed by undocumented aliens. Riley was savagely raped and murdered by an illegal alien Feb. 22, 2024, Trump promised, if elected, he would do everything possible to find and deport illegal alien criminals living and taking over U.S. cities. Trump had the full backing of the electorate in the Nov. 5, 2024 presidential election to do something to make U.S. streets safer from illegal alien gang members from Latin America. Whether or not Garcia was once an illegal Salvadoran gang member is anyone’s guess. His attorney denies that but that’s not the whole story about his life before he came illegally to the U.S. Trump’s Justice Department is committed to rounding up and prosecuting illegal aliens, especially criminal gang members wreaking havoc in U.S. cities.
Whatever delays exist in returning Garcia from foreign detention in El Salvador, his attorney needs to stop using his detention to score political points against Trump. Most voters agree with Trump’s get tough measures with illegal aliens especially gang members currently tormenting American neighborhoods and cities. Supreme Court asked Judge Xinis to treat the Justice Department with deference as they proceed to comply with the order return Garcia from custody in El Salvador. Things aren’t as seamless when illegal aliens are deported into custody in foreign countries like El Salvador. Justice Department officials said the error was removing Garcia to an El Salvador detention facility, not on deporting him. Getting him back from El Salvador make take a few days but it will happen sometime soon. Democrats should stop playing politics with deportations and public safety.
About the Author
John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He’s editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.
