Court Orders Return of Mistakenly Deported Man from El Salvador

A federal appeals court in New York has directed the administration to facilitate the return of Jordin Alexander Melgar-Salmeron, who was deported to El Salvador approximately 30 minutes after the court had suspended his removal order. The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel attributed the incident to what the government described as "a confluence of administrative errors." Officials have been given one week to identify Melgar-Salmeron's current location and outline steps for his return to the United States.

This case represents at least the fourth instance this year where federal courts have ordered the administration to return individuals who were mistakenly deported. The ruling follows similar cases involving deportations to El Salvador, Mexico, and other countries where courts found procedural errors in the removal process. These cases have occurred across multiple federal court jurisdictions, including rulings from judges with various appointment backgrounds.

One notable previous case involved Kilmar Abrego Garcia, whose deportation to El Salvador in March gained significant attention. According to the report, Garcia has since been returned to the United States to face human smuggling charges in Tennessee. Another case mentioned involved a Venezuelan national identified as Cristian, whom a Maryland federal judge ruled was deported in violation of a 2019 settlement agreement despite having a pending asylum application.

In May, a separate judicial order addressed the case of a Guatemalan man deported to Mexico despite expressing fears of harm there based on his sexual orientation. U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy determined that the removal likely "lacked any semblance of due process." These multiple court interventions highlight ongoing legal challenges related to deportation procedures and due process considerations in immigration enforcement actions.

The court has instructed administration officials to facilitate Melgar-Salmeron's return "as soon as possible," establishing specific reporting requirements regarding his status and the planned process for his return. The case adds to the legal scrutiny of immigration enforcement practices and procedural safeguards in deportation proceedings, particularly in situations where court orders have been issued to halt removals.