Last month, the Trump administration wrongfully deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia – a Salvadoran immigrant, husband, and father who has lived in Maryland for over a decade – to a prison in El Salvador.

Even after acknowledging that they mistakenly deported Abrego Garcia due to an “administrative error” and receiving direction from federal courts and the Supreme Court to release Abrego Garcia, the Trump administration has refused to take action to bring him back to Maryland.

In an opinion for the ages, yesterday, a traditionally conservative Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals judge authored an opinion reaffirming that the Trump Administration must abide by the district court’s ruling to facilitate Mr. Garcia’s return home. The entire opinion is worth reading, but the crux of the importance of this case is stated clearly: “If today the Executive claims the right to deport without due process and in disregard of court orders, what assurance will there be tomorrow that it will not deport American citizens and then disclaim responsibility to bring them home?”

As a lawyer and an elected official, I swore an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution and the Maryland Constitution. Not only is Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wrongful deportation unjust because of its violation of his due process rights, but the Trump administration’s actions openly defy our Supreme Court, represent a flagrant abuse of his oath to uphold the Constitution, and set a dangerous precedent in our country.

Yesterday, Senator Chris Van Hollen met with Kilmar Abrego Garcia and checked on his condition. I am grateful to all leaders and advocates who are working to secure Mr. Garcia’s return and proud of Senator Van Hollen’s actions, including his travels to El Salvador. You and I know that this is an important moment in our country’s history: the Trump Administration must act now to bring Mr. Garcia back to Maryland.

In solidarity,

(She, Her, Hers)