Why one deportation case has legal scholars afraid for even U.S. citizens

Enlarge this image A member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus holds up a sign supporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia during a news conference to discuss Abrego Garcia’s arrest and deportation. Alex Wong/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Alex Wong/Getty Images A member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus holds up a sign supporting Kilmar Abrego Garcia during a news conference to discuss Abrego Garcia’s arrest and deportation. Alex Wong/Getty Images The Trump administration admitted that it wrongfully deported a man named Kilmar Abrego Garcia. It had also been arguing that courts cannot compel the U.S. government to return him to this country. The U.S. Supreme Court has unanimously determined the government must “facilitate” his release from the El Salvador prison where he is being held, but the Department of Justice has so far only confirmed his presence at that prison. If he is not returned to this country to face due process, people following this case point out a troubling implication: The government could potentially send anyone to a foreign prison – regardless of citizenship – with no legal recourse. Sponsor Message Harvard University emeritus professor of constitutional law Laurence Tribe explains his argument. For sponsor-free episodes of Consider This, sign up for Consider This+ via Apple Podcasts or at plus.npr.org. Email us at [email protected]. This episode was produced by Tyler Bartlam and Marc Rivers. It was edited by Patrick Jarenwattananon and Sarah Robbins. Our executive producer is Sami Yenigun.