Luigi Mangione’s legal team filed a motion in Manhattan’s U.S. District Court to prevent the federal government from pursuing the death penalty in the murder case of UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson. The defense argues that Attorney General Bondi’s actions violated Mangione’s due process rights by bypassing standard procedures and prejudicing potential grand jurors. This alleged procedural violation is compounded by Bondi’s public statements linking the death penalty pursuit to President Trump’s political agenda. The defense contends that the death penalty is being sought as a political maneuver, not based on legal merit.
Read More
U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis expressed deep concern over the Trump administration’s failure to comply with a court order mandating the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran migrant erroneously deported to El Salvador. Despite a Supreme Court ruling upholding the order to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, the administration failed to provide his location or details of their efforts. The judge demanded daily updates, even if only to acknowledge the ongoing process, while the administration argued that foreign affairs cannot operate on judicial timelines. Abrego Garcia’s lawyers countered that the government’s actions constitute a delay tactic endangering their client’s safety.
Read More
The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that federal authorities must “facilitate” the return of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man mistakenly deported, issuing a rebuke of the Trump administration’s actions. While the Court’s order scaled back a lower court’s mandate, concerns remain about the ambiguity of “facilitate,” potentially leaving Garcia in limbo given the administration’s claims of lacking control over El Salvadorian prisons. This decision highlights a growing divide between the Supreme Court and the Trump administration, exemplified by recent dissent from Justice Barrett against Trump’s use of the Alien Enemies Act. The ruling underscores the Court’s willingness to check the executive branch, even as it navigates the complexities of international repatriation.
Read More
Aditya Harsono, a 33-year-old international student, was detained by ICE agents four days after his student visa was revoked based on a dismissed misdemeanor charge. His attorney believes his political activism contributed to this action, highlighting a concerning trend affecting F-1 visa holders. Despite a temporary release on bond, the Department of Homeland Security appealed the decision, leaving Harsono in ICE custody. The situation is further complicated by a pending I-130 application for permanent residency filed by his wife, Peyton.
Read More
Jonathan, an Australian with a valid US work visa, was detained and deported from the US after a brief trip to Australia. Upon returning through Houston, he was accused of drug trafficking, interrogated for hours, and ultimately banned from the US for five years. Officials cited his intent to remain in the US, despite his visa’s validity and prior re-entries, as justification. This incident is one of several similar cases recently reported, highlighting potential issues with US border control procedures.
Read More
The Supreme Court upheld a lower court order mandating the Trump administration facilitate the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, wrongly deported to El Salvador, but requested clarification on the order’s scope. While affirming the government’s obligation to aid Abrego Garcia’s release and ensure fair handling of his case, the Court emphasized the executive branch’s authority in foreign affairs. The decision, though requiring the administration to report on actions taken, is a rebuke of its deportation policies, particularly concerning the forcible removal of alleged gang members. The ruling is a win for civil liberties advocates challenging the administration’s actions.
Read More
The Supreme Court’s unanimous 9-0 decision ordering the release of a Maryland father, Abrego Garcia, from an El Salvadorian prison is a significant event, raising questions about the Trump administration’s willingness to comply with a Supreme Court order and the potential consequences of defiance. The ruling itself is a clear victory for justice, but the path to securing Garcia’s release and return remains uncertain.
The Supreme Court’s order mandates that the government “facilitate” Garcia’s release and ensure his case proceeds as if he hadn’t been improperly deported. However, the court acknowledged ambiguity in the lower court’s order, potentially exceeding its authority in matters of foreign affairs.… Continue reading
The US Supreme Court’s recent decision to uphold an order facilitating the return of Abrego Garcia, a deportee mistakenly sent to El Salvador, is a landmark case highlighting the flaws within the deportation process and the executive branch’s reluctance to correct its own errors. The fact that such a seemingly straightforward case of wrongful deportation required Supreme Court intervention speaks volumes about the current state of affairs. It’s utterly appalling that a simple act of rectifying an obvious injustice needed the highest court’s intervention, suggesting a systemic failure within the administration to prioritize basic human decency and adherence to the rule of law.… Continue reading
U.S. citizen and Michigan-based attorney Amir Makled was detained by federal immigration agents upon returning from a family vacation, despite presenting his U.S. citizenship documentation. Agents demanded access to his phone, citing no specific reason for the detention, which lasted over 90 minutes. Makled refused, believing the request was intended to intimidate him due to his representation of a student charged in connection with a pro-Palestinian protest. He believes the incident is a chilling effect targeting attorneys who represent politically active clients.
Read More
On March 31st, ICE agents, without a warrant, forcibly removed Elsy Noemi Berrios from her car in Westminster, Maryland, while her daughter filmed the incident. The arrest stemmed from allegations of MS-13 gang association, vehemently denied by Berrios and her daughter, Karen Cruz Berrios. Berrios, who is seeking asylum and has work authorization, is currently detained in Pennsylvania awaiting a bond hearing. The incident highlights concerns about ICE enforcement tactics and the potential for mistaken identity or false accusations in deportation cases.
Read More
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood