Maryland judge, Sen. Van Hollen push back against Trump administration over Kilmar Abrego Garcia case

Source: CBS News

Updated on: April 30, 2025 / 10:20 PM EDT


A Maryland judge on Wednesday refused to give the Trump administration another extension to provide information on Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was deported to a Salvadoran prison in what the government called an "administrative error." U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis — who ordered the government to "facilitate" Abrego Garcia's return — has sparred with the Trump administration for weeks.

She ordered expedited discovery on any steps the administration has taken to bring back Abrego Garcia, and accused the administration of a "bad faith refusal" to answer questions last week. Xinis delayed the discovery process for seven days last week.

But she declined the Trump administration's request for another delay Wednesday, signing a new order directing the Trump administration to "answer and respond to all outstanding discovery requests" by Monday. She also set a new timetable of deadlines over the next two weeks. The government's reasons for requesting delays — and Xinis' reasons for denying — remain unknown because the administration's motion was sealed from public view.

What's next in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia?

Xinis will allow the depositions of four government officials — Robert Cema, Evan Katz, Michael Kozak and Joseph Mazzara — "no later than Friday, May 9."

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kilmar-abrego-garcia-trump-deportation-immigration-judge/