Jose Serrano-Maldonado, a father from Maryland, was deported to El Salvador on January 20, 2026, despite having two court orders that They prohibited his deportation, federal authorities confirmed during an emergency hearing in a Baltimore federal court. The judge in charge of the case described the situation as “very serious” and demanded that the federal government provide written details about who made the decision, when, and why, since the immigrant's file included a visible notice with the instruction “Do Not Remove.” ICE admits error, but does not explain the deportation. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) admitted that the deportation was carried out in error, but could not explain why it was executed despite the existing court orders. During the hearing, Serrano-Maldonado's lawyer, Anna Alyssa Tijerina, asserted that her client is in danger in El Salvador and requested his immediate return to the United States. “She told me she will try to stay at home as long as possible until this is resolved. She wants to return to the United States, even if it’s to the detention center,” Tijerina told WBAL-TV 11 News. Assistant U.S. Attorney Beatrice Thomas informed the court that the government is arranging Serrano-Maldonado’s return via an ICE Air flight, though she cautioned that the administrative procedures could take several days. The judge ordered the government to submit daily reports on the status of the case until Serrano-Maldonado returns to the United States. However, authorities indicated that such reports will likely be filed under seal, without public access. Tijerina expressed that the uncertainty is one of the family’s main concerns. “Even knowing there was no progress today is information. For the safety of my client and her family, I hope this is resolved soon,” she stated.

Similar Case and Context

The Serrano-Maldonado case is reminiscent of that of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, another Salvadoran father in Maryland with protective orders who was deported by mistake. Both men have children who are U.S. citizens, and their deportations were deemed erroneous by federal authorities.

At this time, there is no confirmed date for Serrano-Maldonado's return to the United States, and the judicial investigation into the violation of the orders continues.