Chief Justice John Roberts Issues Order From Federal District Judge

By
Rachel Stevenson
-

Oh, the drama never stops with our judicial system, does it? Just when you think the insanity has peaked, along comes a federal judge demanding that a suspected MS-13 gang member, who’s already been deported, be brought back into the United States—because apparently, now we’re Uber for international criminals. Thankfully, Chief Justice John Roberts swooped in like the last adult in the room and slammed the brakes on this legal circus—for now, anyway.

Let’s break this one down, because it’s the kind of story that should be satire but, unfortunately, isn’t. Kilmer Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national, was deported last month due to what’s being called an “administrative error.” Sounds like someone at ICE hit the wrong button. Happens. Except this particular “oopsie” involved a guy suspected of being an MS-13 gang member. That’s not your friendly neighborhood loiterer—we’re talking about a group known for machetes, murder, and mayhem. And just like that, he was on a plane to El Salvador, where, fittingly, he landed in a mega-prison.

Then came Judge Paula Xinis, who apparently decided that despite the gang affiliations and a years-old deportation order, we just had to get him back. Why? Because his safety in El Salvador might be in jeopardy. No, really. A federal judge prioritized the well-being of someone accused of aligning with one of the most brutal transnational gangs over the safety and sanity of the American public. Makes you wonder if there’s a separate version of the Constitution floating around in some of these courtrooms—one where American citizens come in second to literally everyone else.

Enter John Roberts, wielding the rare superpower of common sense, and issuing an emergency stay. For now, Garcia is staying right where he is. Roberts ordered that his lawyers respond by Tuesday, probably because he wants to hear just how creatively they can justify this mess. I mean, what’s the argument going to be? “Yes, he may be a violent gang member with a deportation order, but he deserves a second chance… in America… where he can sue us for emotional distress”?

This case isn’t just about one guy. It’s about whether the United States can still enforce its own immigration laws without activist judges hijacking the process. If a single district court judge can override federal deportation orders—especially those involving suspected gang members—then what are we even doing here? What message does that send to ICE agents trying to do their jobs, or to law-abiding immigrants who respect the process?

And let’s not forget who stepped in to appeal the judge’s order: the Trump administration. Love him or hate him, when it comes to immigration enforcement, Trump’s team doesn’t mess around. They saw this ruling for what it was: a dangerous precedent that threatens to completely neuter border security. Say what you want about the guy’s tweets, but at least he doesn’t think deporting MS-13 suspects is a human rights violation.

We’ve reached a point where defending our own borders is seen as controversial, and ensuring the safety of our own citizens somehow takes a backseat to the comfort of foreign nationals with criminal ties. It’s a real-time lesson in what happens when ideology overtakes common sense in the courtroom. Thankfully, Roberts hit pause before this absurdity could take root.

So for now, Abrego Garcia can stay right where he is—behind bars in a country where he actually belongs. And maybe, just maybe, the highest court in the land will remind the lower ones that their job is to uphold the law—not rewrite it with crayons and a feelings chart.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR