A federal court has ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of another immigrant who was wrongfully deported, marking yet another instance in which immigration authorities are being held accountable for overstepping legal procedures.
In a stern rebuke of the administration’s handling of deportation cases, the court found that immigration officials had violated due process by removing the man from the United States despite ongoing legal proceedings that should have protected him from deportation. The ruling emphasized that the man’s rights were disregarded and that immediate action must be taken to correct the government’s error.
The judge criticized the government for acting prematurely and ignoring standard protocol, thereby undermining the fairness of the legal process. This case adds to a growing list of individuals who have been deported under questionable circumstances during the Trump presidency, with courts increasingly stepping in to rectify the administration’s missteps.
The ruling ordered federal immigration officials to coordinate the man’s return to the United States and ensure that his case is given the proper legal review it was initially denied.
Legal advocates say the decision underscores the urgent need for greater oversight and accountability in immigration enforcement.
The administration has yet to comment on how or when it plans to comply with the court’s directive.
Appeals Court Orders Trump Administration to Return Wrongfully Deported Salvadoran Man
A federal appeals court in New York has ordered the Trump administration to arrange the swift return of a Salvadoran man who was deported just minutes after the court.
Melgar-Salmeron was deported in May despite a judicial order that should have protected him from removal.
This latest decision highlights a troubling pattern of wrongful deportations carried out by immigration authorities under the Trump administration. Melgar-Salmeron is now at least the fourth individual to have been deported in error, in violation of court orders or existing protected status.
The government later admitted that his removal was the result of what it called “a confluence of administrative errors.”
Court documents revealed that the government had previously acknowledged that a “perfect storm of errors” led to the mistaken deportation, despite earlier assurances that Melgar-Salmeron would not be removed and that a legal stay had been granted.
The court’s order also requires the government to submit a supplemental declaration within seven days detailing Melgar-Salmeron’s current whereabouts and custody status. Additionally, the government must outline the specific steps it will take to ensure his return to the United States and provide a timeline for doing so.
This case comes on the heels of a similar incident involving Kilmar Abrego Garcia, another man who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador.
Garcia is currently facing federal charges for allegedly participating in a scheme to smuggle undocumented migrants across state lines in 2022. He has pleaded not guilty and has become a high-profile example of the Justice Department’s aggressive tactics in immigration enforcement.
Despite the court’s recognition of the gravity of the error in Melgar-Salmeron’s case, it denied a separate request by his attorneys to appoint a special master to investigate the officials and agencies responsible for his wrongful deportation.
Legal experts say the case underscores the systemic problems in the immigration enforcement apparatus, particularly the breakdown in communication between the courts and deportation agencies.
While the court has taken a firm stance in ordering the government to correct its mistake, it remains unclear how quickly and effectively officials will be able to locate Melgar-Salmeron and return him to the U.S. The case serves as yet another warning about the consequences of hasty and unchecked deportation practices.