Federal Judge Orders DOJ, DHS to Cease Prejudicial Comments on Immigrant's Case
A US federal judge has issued a ruling that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) officials must stop making prejudicial statements about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an immigrant facing deportation charges. The judge warned that failure to comply with this requirement may result in sanctions.
The order was made by US District Judge Waverly Crenshaw as part of his ongoing case overseeing Abrego Garcia's immigration proceedings in Tennessee. According to the ruling, government officials have made extrajudicial statements that are troubling and often exaggerated or inaccurate, particularly regarding Abrego Garcia's alleged ties to MS-13.
Prejudical statements include comments about Abrego Garcia's character, reputation, and criminal record. The judge emphasized that such statements can unfairly prejudice the immigration court and undermine the integrity of the proceedings.
In addition to ordering DHS and DOJ officials to refrain from making prejudicial statements, Judge Crenshaw also required the government to produce certain documents related to its change in position regarding Abrego Garcia's prosecution. Specifically, the judge asked for information on how Abrego Garcia's case arrived on the desk of the US Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee and why it was reopened after being previously closed.
The order comes as part of a larger controversy surrounding Abrego Garcia's deportation case. The immigrant, who is a Salvadoran native, had been living in Maryland with his family before being deported to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison despite a 2019 court order barring his deportation due to fear of persecution.
Abrego Garcia was recently brought back to the US to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee, where he has pleaded not guilty. His case is currently pending, and two days of hearings are scheduled for next week.
A US federal judge has issued a ruling that Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of Justice (DOJ) officials must stop making prejudicial statements about Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an immigrant facing deportation charges. The judge warned that failure to comply with this requirement may result in sanctions.
The order was made by US District Judge Waverly Crenshaw as part of his ongoing case overseeing Abrego Garcia's immigration proceedings in Tennessee. According to the ruling, government officials have made extrajudicial statements that are troubling and often exaggerated or inaccurate, particularly regarding Abrego Garcia's alleged ties to MS-13.
Prejudical statements include comments about Abrego Garcia's character, reputation, and criminal record. The judge emphasized that such statements can unfairly prejudice the immigration court and undermine the integrity of the proceedings.
In addition to ordering DHS and DOJ officials to refrain from making prejudicial statements, Judge Crenshaw also required the government to produce certain documents related to its change in position regarding Abrego Garcia's prosecution. Specifically, the judge asked for information on how Abrego Garcia's case arrived on the desk of the US Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee and why it was reopened after being previously closed.
The order comes as part of a larger controversy surrounding Abrego Garcia's deportation case. The immigrant, who is a Salvadoran native, had been living in Maryland with his family before being deported to El Salvador's CECOT mega-prison despite a 2019 court order barring his deportation due to fear of persecution.
Abrego Garcia was recently brought back to the US to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee, where he has pleaded not guilty. His case is currently pending, and two days of hearings are scheduled for next week.