Attorneys for a wrongly deported Salvadoran immigrant are demanding a federal judge impose sanctions on Donald Trump's administration, accusing a top border official of making "vitriolic and prejudicial" public statements in clear violation of a court order.
Flagrant Violations of Judicial Gag Order
Kilmar Abrego Garcia's legal team filed a motion on Monday 22 December 2025, arguing that Greg Bovino, the senior border patrol official overseeing Trump's mass deportation agenda, has repeatedly breached a gag order issued in October. The order explicitly prohibits officials from making "any extrajudicial statements" that could prejudice the fair trial of Abrego Garcia, who faces parallel criminal and immigration battles.
Despite this, Bovino used appearances on Fox News and Newsmax this month to label Abrego Garcia an "MS-13 gang member," a "wife beater," and an "alien smuggler." He also attacked the judge overseeing the criminal case as an "activist" and "extremist" who "legislates from the bench."
A Protracted Legal Battle for a 'Maryland Dad'
The case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia has become a focal point in the Trump administration's immigration policy. After being mistakenly deported to a Salvadoran prison in March due to a government-admitted "error," multiple federal judges and a unanimous Supreme Court ordered his return, calling his arrest "illegal."
The government resisted for weeks before abruptly returning him to the US in June to face charges of illegally moving other immigrants, to which he has pleaded not guilty. Although released from criminal custody before trial, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) swiftly detained him again.
Since then, the administration has attempted to deport him to at least six countries, including Eswatini, Ghana, Liberia, and Uganda, while allegedly misleading the court about Costa Rica's firm offer to grant him residence and refugee status.
Administration Defiance and Legal Consequences
In court filings, Abrego Garcia's attorneys state that government lawyers ignored requests to retract Bovino's statements, which they call "flagrant" breaches warranting sanctions. They argue the public smear campaign is part of a pattern of vindictive prosecution to punish him for successfully challenging his wrongful deportation.
Separately, Abrego Garcia is asking for the criminal charges to be dropped, claiming he was "singled out" after defeating the government in court. Meanwhile, administration attorneys are seeking judicial permission to detain him once more to attempt a second deportation, regardless of the ongoing criminal trial.
The legal showdown continues as Abrego Garcia, a father of US citizen children, fights to remain in Maryland with his family after only days of freedom before Christmas. The Independent has contacted the Department of Homeland Security for comment.
