Focus on the BIG picture.
Friday, May 09, 2025

Justice Department Attorney Placed on Leave Following Controversial Deportation Case

Justice Department Attorney Placed on Leave Following Controversial Deportation Case

Erez Reuveni faces leave after failing to defend the administration's stance on the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, deemed unlawful by a US judge.
A federal attorney within the U.S. Department of Justice has been placed on administrative leave after allegations surfaced regarding inadequate defense of the Trump administration's actions in the deportation case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran immigrant.

This decision follows U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis's ruling, which asserted that Garcia, a lawful U.S. resident holding a work permit, must be returned to Maryland after his deportation was deemed unlawful.

The controversy surrounding Garcia's case emerged when he was deported to El Salvador despite a prior court order that prohibited such action.

Judge Xinis characterized the circumstances surrounding Garcia's deportation as "wholly lawless" and stated that there were no legal grounds for his detention or removal.

She emphasized that there was a lack of evidence connecting Garcia to any criminal activity in El Salvador, despite claims from the administration suggesting otherwise.

Following the judge's ruling, appeals from the administration are pending, with a decision expected imminently ahead of a deadline for Garcia's return.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced on a national television program that attorney Erez Reuveni was no longer involved in the case and had been placed on leave by Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche.

Reuveni had expressed concerns about the deportation process, noting the absence of satisfactory answers from federal officials regarding the administration's inability to facilitate Garcia's return.

His supervisor, August Flentje, who also oversees the Immigration Litigation section of the Justice Department's Civil Division, was reportedly placed on leave.

Both attorneys did not immediately respond to inquiries about the situation.

Despite the administration's claims of Garcia's alleged involvement with a criminal gang, no charges have been formally filed against him.

Garcia had been compliant with all immigration policies, which included regular check-ins with the authorities.

He was detained by immigration agents on March 12 and questioned about purported ties to the MS-13 gang, accusations he has consistently denied.

Upon his deportation, he ended up in a prison in El Salvador nicknamed Cecot, which is recognized as one of the most dangerous facilities in the region.

The Trump administration has faced increased scrutiny regarding its immigration policies and practices, particularly regarding deportations amidst ongoing litigation.

A separate case in Washington D.C. examines potential violations of court orders concerning the deportation of alleged Venezuelan gang members, prompting further debate over the administration's adherence to legal standards in deportation practices.

In the midst of these controversies, Bondi has affirmed the administration's commitment to maintaining its deportation policy, articulating a view that removing undocumented immigrants from the country is a priority.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Historic Papal Conclave Set to Commence in Rome
Huge Copper, Gold, and Silver Discovery in Argentina and Chile — But the Profits Go Abroad
The Road to Freedom: She Protested Putin, Escaped House Arrest, and Survived a 2,800-Kilometer Journey
Prince Harry is pleading for reconciliation — but the royals are just as sick of his victimhood as everyone else
OpenAI's Flip-Flop: No Longer Going Commercial, Back to Nonprofit, After Musk Lawsuit and Backlash
First From China: Zhao Xintong Wins the Snooker World Championship
Nvidia Faces Billion-Dollar Losses – Warns: China Is on Its Way to Becoming an AI Superpower
Trump Rules Out Third Term, Names JD Vance and Marco Rubio as Potential Successors
Mexico Says ‘No’ to U.S. Troops: President Sheinbaum Rejects Trump’s Offer to Fight Cartels
Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Storms the Map, Wrecking the Two-Party Monopoly
DOGE: Reimagining Government Operations with AI
EU Hits TikTok with €530 Million Fine Over China Data Transfers
Beijing Says U.S. Is ‘Reaching Out’ for Tariff Talks Amid Soaring Trade Tensions
U.K. Court Rejects Prince Harry’s Final Appeal Over Police Security
Warren Buffett to Step Down as Berkshire CEO After Nearly 60 Years
Prince Harry’s Heartfelt Outburst Rocks the Royal Family
Trump Shares AI-Generated Image of Himself as… Pope, Prompting Outrage Reaction
Transgender Swimmer Secures Five Gold Medals at U.S. Masters Championship
Prince Harry: “I Want Reconciliation with My Family”
Germany's Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has now been officially labeled “right-wing extremist” by the federal office for the so-called “protection of the constitution.”
Amazon Launches Satellite Internet Service Amidst Competition with SpaceX
Transformative Changes in Women's Wrestling: The Rise of WWE Superstars
The Rush to the White Gold: Global Investment Surge in Natural Hydrogen Exploration
This is a day in Spain without electricity and internet
180-Year-Old Christian University in South Carolina Announces Closure Due to Unmet $6 Million Fundraising Goal
Brazilian Woman Jailed for Fourteen Years for Writing “You Lost, Idiot” on Statue During Protest
Trump Administration Removes National Security Adviser Mike Waltz Amid Signal Chat Controversy
Huawei Ramps Up Testing of Powerful New AI Chip in Challenge to Nvidia Amid U.S. Sanctions
Dutch Politician Eva Vlaardingerbroek Receives Spyware Threat Alert from Apple
Paramount Board Considers Settlement in Trump’s $20 Billion Lawsuit Over "60 Minutes" Interview
U.S. Economy Shrink in Trump’s First Quarter as Tariff Policy Raises Questions
U.S. and Ukraine Poised to Sign Strategic Critical Minerals Deal Amid Geopolitical Shifts
Sweden Grapples with Deadly Gun Violence: Suspect Arrested After Three Young Men Killed in Uppsala Hair Salon
Walz Reveals Why Harris Chose Him as Her Running Mate and Reflects on Democratic Losses
Spain Restores Power After Unprecedented Nationwide Blackout
Carney Secures Liberal Mandate in Canada’s Federal Election
Death Penalty Sought as Luigi Manion Pleads Not Guilty in CEO Murder Case
President Trump contacts Jeff Bezos after reports of Amazon considering listing tariff surcharges; company clarifies no such plan for main platform
Spain and Portugal Recover from Massive Blackout
Liverpool Clinches Record-Equalling 20th English League Title Under Arne Slot
Massive Raid on Underground Nightclub in Colorado Springs Yields Over 100 Arrests
Singapore Politicians Warn Against Foreign Interference in Election
Driver Ploughs into Vancouver Festival Crowd, Killing Nine
Depression, Fear of Defamation, and a Tragic End: New Details on Virginia Giuffre’s Suicide
“Sharia for UK, Allah Akbar!”
China Warns Nations Against Trade Deals Harmful to Its Interests
Malaysia Revises Growth Outlook Amid US Trade Talks
Massive Explosion at Iran's Bandar Abbas Port Linked to Suspicious Chemical Shipments
Wild Courtroom Chaos: FBI Arrests Milwaukee Judge for Helping Illegal Immigrant Flee from ICE Agents!
Pakistani migrants to Danish man: “ “We have 5 children while you have 1 or 2. In 10 years, there will be more Pakistanis than Danes here.“
×