Judge Xinis criticizes Trump team’s delays in MS-13 migrant case, citing bad faith and legal noncompliance.

Federal Court Frustrated by Delays in Deportation Ruling

A federal judge in Maryland has sharply criticized lawyers for the Trump administration over their handling of the deportation case involving Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant alleged to have ties to the MS-13 gang. The latest development follows weeks of court tension surrounding the U.S. government’s failure to comply with court orders mandating Abrego Garcia’s return from El Salvador.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis denied a Justice Department request for a 30-day extension, citing the administration’s pattern of procrastination and failure to show good cause. The request, filed on the day of the deadline, came under immediate scrutiny. “They vaguely complain, in two sentences, to expending ‘significant resources’ engaging in expedited discovery,” Judge Xinis said, calling the burdens “of their own making.”

The judge emphasized that her court had conducted five hearings on the matter, and that the administration had not previously indicated a need for additional time. “To say now that additional time is needed to do that which the law requires rings hollow,” she ruled.

Hours after the denial, Trump administration attorneys submitted a motion to dismiss the case, arguing a “lack of jurisdiction.” Judge Xinis has yet to respond to the motion.

The legal battle dates back to earlier this year, when the Supreme Court ordered the administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return. However, Judge Xinis noted repeated delays and evasive filings since her April order requiring expedited discovery to ensure compliance.

Judge Xinis expressed frustration at the government’s definition of the term “facilitate,” stating that efforts to comply resembled “beating a frustrated and dead horse.” She criticized the administration’s discovery submissions as “vague, evasive and incomplete,” and accused the government of willful, bad-faith refusal to meet its obligations.

Adding to the controversy, the administration attempted to invoke the state secrets privilege via a footnote referencing a different case before another judge. Judge Xinis rejected the maneuver outright, making clear it did not meet the standards of her courtroom.

The government maintains that Abrego Garcia is a member of MS-13, although no formal ties have been proven in court. Meanwhile, the administration continues to resist orders to return deported individuals, despite instructions from multiple judges, including Judge James Boasberg in Washington, D.C.

Judge Xinis has not ruled out initiating contempt proceedings, though no formal action has been taken yet. Earlier this year, Judge Boasberg found probable cause to do so in a related matter.

This case underscores the escalating tension between federal courts and the Trump administration over immigration enforcement practices, particularly the use of the 18th-century Alien Enemies Act to accelerate deportations. The judge’s rebuke highlights mounting judicial impatience over executive noncompliance with court mandates.