US Government Cannot Locate Man Wrongly Deported to El Salvador

The United States Department of Justice informed the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit that it cannot locate Jordin Alexander Melgar-Salmeron, a man wrongly deported to El Salvador. The deportation occurred on May 7 due to a confluence of administrative errors, taking place only 30 minutes after a court ruling had forbidden his removal.

On June 24, the court ordered the government to return Melgar-Salmeron as soon as possible. However, a Justice Department attorney stated that the man's current location and custodial status remain unknown. While the government is utilizing diplomatic channels and Interpol to find him, officials stated that immigration authorities will only facilitate his entry if he presents himself at a port of entry, rather than actively retrieving him.

The situation is complicated by the fact that Melgar-Salmeron is the subject of an Interpol red notice. He faces charges of aggravated homicide and conspiracy in El Salvador dating back to 2014. The administration has promised to update the court if he is located.