A federal judge in Utah ordered the Trump administration to facilitate the return of a man whom officials acknowledge was wrongfully deported, ruling he must be brought back within 21 days in compliance with previous court orders.
District Judge Jill Parrish issued the ruling on Wednesday to return Federico Reyes Vasquez after administration officials acknowledged they had removed him despite court directives that he must remain in Utah while his court case is pending. Reyes Vasquez was apprehended by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in mid-December, but his detainment has been under review after his family filed a motion that said he was being unlawfully held.
Parrish ruled on Dec. 22 not to remove Reyes Vasquez from the country while his detainment was being reviewed, but he was deported the next day “in direct violation of the court’s Order,” according to court documents.
Although administration officials say ICE agents knew of the order preventing his removal, officials tasked with removal operations were unaware and carried out the deportation.
ICE agents later said they would “coordinate with (Reyes Vasquez’s) attorney to facilitate his return to the United States if Petitioner so chooses,” which his lawyers have confirmed he wants.
It’s not entirely clear the justification behind Reyes Vasquez’s original detainment. His family submitted a habeas corpus petition on Dec. 19 alleging unlawful detention after Reyes Vasquez’s son claimed he was unable to obtain any information about his father’s condition from ICE.
In that petition, his son Esggar Reyes alleged that his lawyer attempted to call the Salt Lake City ICE field office but “the phone was automatically disconnected,” according to court documents.
Three days later, Parrish ruled that Reyes Vasquez not be removed or transferred to any facility outside of the Utah district.
In her ruling on Wednesday, Parrish noted that Reyes Vasquez is being held in central Mexico and “may lack the funds to easily return.” As a result, the district judge ruled the Trump administration must either provide transportation or financial support to return him to the United States. Administration officials must also coordinate housing for Reyes Vasquez when he is returned.
Reyes Vasquez’s attorneys could also be eligible for other payment, Parrish ruled, inviting them to submit an interim request for other costs related to his return.
The Trump administration has until Jan. 20 to return him, and officials must submit a status report to Parrish within 10 days.