Judge Paula Xinis has extended a hold on García’s removal while reviewing possible due process violations. (Image Credits: Politico)
Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland has sharply criticized the Trump administration for its handling of Kilmar Ábrego García’s deportation case, accusing officials of spreading “lies about the facts.” Speaking on Monday, August 25, Van Hollen declared: “Instead of spewing unproven allegations in the press and social media, the Trump Administration needs to put up or shut up in court and allow Mr. Ábrego García the opportunity to defend himself.”
The senator’s fiery remarks highlight mounting Democratic frustration over the administration’s fast-tracked deportation policies, which have triggered widespread debate about due process rights.
At the center of the dispute is Kilmar Ábrego García, whose deportation to Uganda the Trump administration has been attempting to accelerate. On Monday afternoon, US District Judge Paula Xinis intervened, announcing plans to extend a temporary block on García’s removal until she fully examines whether the administration’s actions violate his constitutional rights.
The judge’s decision effectively keeps García in the United States for the time being, giving his legal team room to mount a broader challenge against the deportation order.
During a brief hearing, Judge Xinis emphasized that she was not prepared to greenlight García’s removal without a deeper review. She indicated that the court must carefully balance due process rights against the administration's desire for expedited deportation by extending the current hold.
Her position is indicative of a growing court backlash against the Trump administration's harsh immigration practices, which detractors claim compromise the legal protections afforded to foreign nationals who are facing deportation.
The Trump administration has continuously justified its deportation policies by claiming that they are a component of a larger campaign to close what it refers to as "loopholes" in the immigration system. Officials maintain that García's case is not an exception and that his deportation is both justified and lawful.
However, critics contend that the administration is deliberately bypassing established legal channels, using public narratives and media leaks to paint García in a negative light rather than proving its case in court.
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Senator Van Hollen’s comments underscore the political dimension of García’s case. He framed the conflict as a test of governmental responsibility and transparency in addition to a legal battle by accusing the administration of "spreading lies."
Immigrant rights advocates have rallied behind García, warning that the Trump administration’s tactics could set a dangerous precedent for how deportations are handled in the future. The case now hinges on Judge Xinis’s upcoming decision, which could determine whether García remains in the US while his legal challenge proceeds—or whether the Trump administration succeeds in carrying out a swift removal.
For the White House, the outcome will be closely watched as another test of its hardline immigration agenda. For García, it could be the difference between staying in the country to fight his case—or being sent to Uganda before the courts have fully considered his claims.
