Donald Trump blasted by judge for withholding details of 'deeply disturbing' deportation

Trump's administration has been blasted for the mistaken deportation (Image: Getty)

A US judge has condemned President Donald Trump's administration for withholding details over the mistaken deportation of a US resident. At a hearing on Friday, District Judge Paula Xinis argued it had not adequately shown how they were complying with her order to return the Maryland resident.

Trump's administration has invoked the state secrets privilege over details in Kilmar Abrego Garcia's case, a legal doctrine that allows the government to block the disclosure of information that could harm national security interests. However, Xinis argued the Justice Department had not shown how the doctrine would apply. She said: "You have not given me anything that I can really say 'Ok, I understand what of the plaintiffs' requests or the court's order, in the government's view, poses a reasonable danger to diplomatic relations'".

A protest was held in Washington DC to call for Garcia's return (Image: Getty)

Having called the case so far an "exercise in utter frustration", Xinis ordered the administration to provide more information last month after claiming that nothing of value had been provided.

Department of Justice attorney Jonathan Guynn said the Supreme Court's ruling acknowledged there would be "some and maybe many details we can't share" with the court.

She also questioned whether the US ever intended to cooperate with the order, highlighting a statement from US Department of Homeland Security chief, Kristi Noem, who said that Abrego Garcia "will never be allowed to return to the United States".

"That sounds to me like an admission," Xinis said. "That's about as clear as it can get."

Kilmar Abrego Garcia was deported on March 15 to El Salvador's maximum security prison, Cecot, despite an order protecting his removal.

Protestors have called for his return, with many claiming it suggests the administration is willing to go against the judiciary.

Abrego Garcia's lawyer Andrew Rossman told Xinis it was "deeply disturbing" that the administration indicated it was in compliance with the judge's orders while "at the same time the highest officials in the government are saying the opposite".

During the hearing, Xinis said several government statements indicated Abrego Garcia had been deported mistakenly, and that "the attempt to revise that is going to be exceptionally difficult".

The US Department of Justice said in a court filing this week that Abrego Garcia's lawyers have "all the information they need" to confirm that it has complied with the court's order on his return.

Xinis said on Friday that she would likely give the administration another chance to supplement its evidence.