Abrego Illegal Deportation Incident: Difference between revisions

  | facility          = ICE / DHS custody; EOIR proceedings referenced

  | agencies          = U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE); Office of the Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA)

  | arrests_reported  = N/A (already in ICE custody)

  | agents_involved    = [[Agent:Annemarie Brennan-Linnan]]; [[Agent:US-ICE-0001]]; [[Agent:US-ICE-0002]]; [[Agent:US-ICE-0003]]; [[Agent:US-ICE-0004]]; [[Agent:US-ICE-0005]]

  | vehicles_involved  = Unverified (ICE transport aircraft or contracted carriers)

   * Declaration of Annemarie Brennan-Linnan (ICE OPLA) – {{PDF|gov.uscourts.mdd.578815.202.4.pdf}}

On March 15, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) illegally deported Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia to El Salvador despite a binding 2019 immigration judge order granting withholding of removal. The deportation violated federal law by returning Abrego to a country where he faced a “clear probability” of persecution. Federal courts later confirmed the removal was unlawful, and the Government conceded the act was an “administrative error.” The incident became the subject of nationwide litigation and scrutiny.

Despite this protection, ICE removed Abrego to El Salvador on March 15, 2025. The Department of Homeland Security later admitted that the removal was conducted “in error,” yet provided no valid removal order, no lawful basis for the action, and no credible evidence supporting claims that Abrego was affiliated with MS-13 or any terrorist organization.

Following emergency filings by Abrego’s counsel, the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland issued orders compelling the Government to facilitate his return. The Supreme Court (24A949) reviewed the matter, acknowledging the unlawful nature of the deportation while directing the district court to refine the terms of the return order based on foreign-affairs considerations. The litigation intensified after allegations that ICE failed to comply with expedited discovery, prompting the plaintiffs to seek sanctions.

A key government declaration submitted in response — from Annemarie Brennan-Linnan, Chief of the District Court Litigation Division (DCLD), ICE OPLA — details internal delays, technical issues, and after-the-fact document reviews relating to the incident.

* [[Annemarie Brennan-Linnan]] — ICE Chief, DCLD/OPLA; submitted sworn declaration regarding ICE’s handling of discovery and production failures (Verified)

* [[Agent:US-ICE-0001]] — Supervisory Deportation Officer overseeing removal logistics (identifier generated; identity pending confirmation)

* [[Agent:US-ICE-0002]] — Deportation Officer involved in physical custody transfer

* [[Agent:US-ICE-0003]] — OPLA attorney or litigation support staff involved in pre-removal document handling

* [[Agent:US-ICE-0004]] — ICE technical staff responsible for data transfer to CORA

* [[Agent:US-ICE-0005]] — Field Office official approving removal execution despite existing withholding order

* Review of internal ICE transport logs may reveal the exact aircraft or contracted carrier.

* Brennan-Linnan’s declaration indicates systemic issues with ICE’s compliance and discovery procedures relevant to this incident.

* A follow-up incident page may be required if ICE/OPLA personnel obstruct or delay the return order.

[[Category:ICE Misconduct]]