WASHINGTON (AA) - A US federal judge on Friday criticized the Trump administration for invoking the state secrets privilege in the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, who was wrongfully deported to El Salvador despite a court order blocking his removal, according to a report.
During a hearing in the state of Maryland, US District Judge Paula Xinis said the government had not provided sufficient justification for withholding key information, challenging a sealed declaration by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that cited national security concerns, ABC News reported.
"Why is it national security as well as foreign relations?" the judge asked. "What about national security is at issue? There's simply no detail. This is basically, 'Take my word for it.'"
"I can't leave it to the caprice of the executive branch to tell me when privilege is properly invoked. I also have to make sure that there is a substantial and real danger here," the judge added.
Abrego Garcia was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in March and deported to El Salvador, where he is being jailed without trial at the infamous CECOT prison under a US-backed agreement that detains some deportees.
His attorneys have maintained that he was wrongly linked to the violent MS-13 gang and denied due process. The US has acknowledged his deportation was an "administrative error," but has refused to arrange for his return.