BALTIMORE — A federal judge on Tuesday refused to withdraw her order requiring the Trump administration to seek the return of a Venezuelan man deported to a notorious high-security prison in El Salvador in violation of a legal settlement.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie Gallagher, a Trump appointee, upheld her ruling despite the Justice Department’s attempt to challenge it with an “indicative ruling” on the man’s asylum eligibility.
Despite the use of a pseudonym in court, the man identified as Daniel Lozano-Camargo was deported to El Salvador in March, contrary to a court-approved settlement protecting unaccompanied minors.
Gallagher’s order to facilitate Lozano-Camargo’s return remains in effect, urging the administration to comply promptly.
The Justice Department’s argument based on an “indicative ruling” was dismissed by Gallagher, emphasizing the importance of due process for asylum seekers like Lozano-Camargo.
While the judge allowed a brief hold to consider appeals, she emphasized the urgency of Lozano-Camargo’s situation and the need for government accountability in his return process.
Lozano-Camargo’s case echoes another deported man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, highlighting the legal battles surrounding deportations under different authorities.
Gallagher’s oversight of a class-action settlement underscores the ongoing efforts to protect the rights of unaccompanied minors in asylum proceedings.
The complexity of Lozano-Camargo’s case and the broader implications on deportation policies continue to unfold in the legal realm.
