A group of eight men, including nationals from various countries, was deported to South Sudan after a lengthy legal process. While only one is a South Sudanese citizen, their removal has been complicated by the uncooperative stance of their home nations.
US Deports Eight Men to South Sudan Amid Legal Controversy
US Deports Eight Men to South Sudan Amid Legal Controversy
Eight individuals, convicted of serious crimes, were deported from the US to South Sudan following a contentious legal battle.
The US has deported eight individuals back to South Sudan after a protracted legal conflict that included an unexpected diversion to Djibouti. The deportees, who faced serious convictions such as murder, sexual assault, and robbery, had either completed or were nearing the end of their prison sentences. Notably, only one of these men is a South Sudanese national, while the others hail from Myanmar, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, and Mexico.
US authorities indicated that many of these deportees' countries of origin had previously refused their acceptance. The Trump administration is actively pursuing plans to expand deportations to third nations, with El Salvador and Costa Rica already confirmed as recipient countries. Various other nations, including Rwanda and Benin, are reportedly under consideration for similar arrangements.
Images released by the Department of Homeland Security depicted the deported men shackled and escorted by US service members on the flight. However, officials did not clarify whether the South Sudanese government had detained them or what their situation would be upon arrival, given that the region remains volatile and poses significant travel risks due to crime and ongoing conflict, as per the US State Department's advisory.
Initially, the group was set to leave the US in May, but the flight was rerouted to Djibouti after a federal judge, Brian Murphy, temporarily blocked the deportations, asserting that individuals deported to third countries should be informed and allowed to consult an asylum officer. Recently, the matter escalated to the Supreme Court, where the administration prevailed, allowing the deportations to move forward without the due process previously mandated by Judge Murphy.
Following this ruling, attempts from attorneys seeking further intervention were rebuffed, as Judge Murphy indicated that he had no jurisdiction to halt the removals due to the Supreme Court's decisive verdict. Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security expressed her perception of the deportation as a political win against "activist judges." Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously revoked all visas for South Sudanese passport holders, citing the nation’s reluctance to accept deported citizens.
US authorities indicated that many of these deportees' countries of origin had previously refused their acceptance. The Trump administration is actively pursuing plans to expand deportations to third nations, with El Salvador and Costa Rica already confirmed as recipient countries. Various other nations, including Rwanda and Benin, are reportedly under consideration for similar arrangements.
Images released by the Department of Homeland Security depicted the deported men shackled and escorted by US service members on the flight. However, officials did not clarify whether the South Sudanese government had detained them or what their situation would be upon arrival, given that the region remains volatile and poses significant travel risks due to crime and ongoing conflict, as per the US State Department's advisory.
Initially, the group was set to leave the US in May, but the flight was rerouted to Djibouti after a federal judge, Brian Murphy, temporarily blocked the deportations, asserting that individuals deported to third countries should be informed and allowed to consult an asylum officer. Recently, the matter escalated to the Supreme Court, where the administration prevailed, allowing the deportations to move forward without the due process previously mandated by Judge Murphy.
Following this ruling, attempts from attorneys seeking further intervention were rebuffed, as Judge Murphy indicated that he had no jurisdiction to halt the removals due to the Supreme Court's decisive verdict. Tricia McLaughlin from the Department of Homeland Security expressed her perception of the deportation as a political win against "activist judges." Additionally, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously revoked all visas for South Sudanese passport holders, citing the nation’s reluctance to accept deported citizens.
