Supreme Court Clears Way for Deportation of Immigrants to South Sudan
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Thursday cleared the way for the deportation of several immigrants who were put on a flight in May bound for South Sudan, a war-ravaged country where they have no ties.
Background of the Decision
The decision comes after the court’s conservative majority found that immigration officials can quickly deport people to third countries. The majority halted an order that had allowed immigrants to challenge any removals to countries outside their homeland where they could be in danger.
The court’s latest order makes clear that the South Sudan flight can complete the trip, weeks after it was detoured to a naval base in Djibouti where the migrants were held in a converted shipping container.
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Breaking News
Reversal of Findings
It reverses findings from federal Judge Brian Murphy in Massachusetts, who said his order on those migrants still stands even after the high court lifted his broader decision.
The majority wrote that their decision on June 23 completely halted Murphy’s ruling and also rendered his decision on the South Sudan flight “unenforceable.” The court did not fully detail its legal reasoning on the underlying case, as is common on its emergency docket.
Dissenting Opinions
Two liberal justices, Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented, saying the ruling gives the government special treatment. “Other litigants must follow the rules, but the administration has the Supreme Court on speed dial,” Sotomayor wrote. Justice Elena Kagan wrote that while she disagreed with the original order, it does countermand Murphy’s findings on the South Sudan flight.
Consequences for the Migrants
Attorneys for the eight migrants have said they could face “imprisonment, torture and even death” if sent to South Sudan, where escalating political tensions have threatened to devolve into another civil war.
“We know they’ll face perilous conditions, and potentially immediate detention, upon arrival,” Trina Realmuto, executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, said Thursday.
Immigration Crackdown
The push comes amid a sweeping immigration crackdown by Trump’s Republican administration, which has pledged to deport millions of people who are living in the United States illegally. The Trump administration has called Murphy’s finding “a lawless act of defiance.”
Related: Trump visits Florida detention facility ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ on Tuesday
Reaction from Authorities
The White House and Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
Authorities have reached agreements with other countries to house immigrants if authorities can’t quickly send them back to their homelands. The eight men sent to South Sudan in May had been convicted of serious crimes in the U.S. and had final orders of removal.
Judge Murphy’s Ruling
Murphy, who was nominated by Democratic President Joe Biden, didn’t prohibit deportations to third countries. But he found migrants must have a real chance to argue they could be in danger of torture if sent to another country, even if they’ve already exhausted their legal appeals.
Conditions for the Migrants
The men and their guards have faced rough conditions on the naval base in Djibouti where authorities detoured the flight after Murphy found the administration had violated his order by failing allow them a chance to challenge the removal. They have since expressed a fear of being sent to South Sudan, Realmuto said.
Conclusion
The Supreme Court’s decision to clear the way for the deportation of immigrants to South Sudan has sparked controversy and concerns about the safety and well-being of the migrants. The ruling has been met with criticism from liberal justices and immigrant advocacy groups, who argue that it gives the government special treatment and puts the migrants at risk of harm.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the Supreme Court’s decision about?
A: The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the deportation of several immigrants to South Sudan, a war-ravaged country where they have no ties.
Q: Why did the court make this decision?
A: The court’s conservative majority found that immigration officials can quickly deport people to third countries, and halted an order that had allowed immigrants to challenge any removals to countries outside their homeland where they could be in danger.
Q: What are the consequences for the migrants?
A: Attorneys for the eight migrants have said they could face “imprisonment, torture and even death” if sent to South Sudan, where escalating political tensions have threatened to devolve into another civil war.
Q: What is the reaction from authorities?
A: The White House and Department of Homeland Security have not immediately responded to messages seeking comment, but authorities have reached agreements with other countries to house immigrants if authorities can’t quickly send them back to their homelands.
Q: What is the next step for the migrants?
A: The migrants will likely be deported to South Sudan, where they will face uncertain and potentially dangerous conditions. Immigrant advocacy groups and attorneys will continue to advocate for their rights and safety.
