'Judge condemns yet another illegal deportation as blatant lawlessness'

Once more, a federal court has stepped in after the Trump administration deported a man to Guatemala despite a ruling that he was at high risk of torture. U.S. District Judge David Guaderrama demanded that the government act swiftly to bring Faustino Pablo Pablo back to the United States.

Guaderrama, an El Paso-based judge appointed during the Obama administration, criticized the authorities for their blatant lawlessness in sending Pablo to Guatemala, ignoring his urgent warnings about imminent danger in his homeland. The judge set a deadline of December 12 for Pablos return and required daily reports on the governments progress.

Although the administration recently acknowledged that Pablos deportation was unlawful and suggested plans to reverse it, the man remained in Guatemala despite a flight being tentatively scheduled. The Department of Homeland Security has not issued a statement on the matter.

Pablos case mirrors the earlier illegal deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia to El Salvador in March, despite a 2019 court order protecting him from likely persecution by local gangs. Abregos case sparked national attention and resistance from top government officials who criticized the judiciary.

Other improper deportations acknowledged by the administration include: a man sent to El Salvador despite a pending asylum settlement, a man sent to Mexico without a credible fear interview, a man deported to El Salvador in defiance of a federal appeals court order, and a transgender woman deported to Mexico despite a court ruling that she was likely to face torture.

Pablo originally entered the U.S. in 2012. Although an immigration judge ordered his removal, the same ruling recognized that he faced torture in Guatemala with government complicity. After being released in 2013, he lived in California and reported regularly to immigration officials until November 5, when he was suddenly detained during a routine check-in.

Despite his lawyer alerting authorities to his protection from deportation, Pablo was sent to El Paso on November 17 and prepared for deportation. He filed a lawsuit seeking release from detention, but he was deported on November 20 before Judge Guaderrama could intervene. Guaderrama noted that by the time the court issued an order to halt the deportation, Pablo was already in Guatemala City.

Author: Olivia Parker