Eight migrants deported from the U.S. to South Sudan are now detained in Djibouti after a court ruling deemed the notice for appealing their deportation insufficient. The ruling, which reflects ongoing tensions between the Trump administration and the judiciary, has drawn fierce criticism from Trump himself, who claims it protects dangerous individuals. The full circumstances surrounding the migrants’ deportation continue to spark legal and political debates.
Migrants deported from the United States to South Sudan are currently being held in Djibouti, following a court ruling. On May 22, 2025, the Trump administration expressed disappointment over this ruling, which has temporarily halted their journey. The U.S. government contends that these eight migrants, who were expelled because of prior violent crime convictions, were not sent back to their home countries due to lack of approval from those governments.
The eight individuals were placed on a flight from the U.S. on Tuesday, headed for South Sudan, but instead found themselves in detention at a major U.S. military base in Djibouti. A Boston District Court Judge, Brian Murphy, determined that the Trump administration violated an earlier order, stating that the notice given to the migrants was insufficient and too short to contest their expulsion.
South Sudan, a nation with a long history of instability and poverty, is currently subject to a U.S. State Department advisory against travel. In his ruling, Judge Murphy mandated that the migrants must have more time, specifically a minimum of ten days, to appeal their deportation, in accordance with the United Nations Convention Against Torture. He also noted that six of them should be allowed to present their fear of torture or mistreatment with legal assistance.
The case’s developments drew criticism from former President Trump, who took to his Truth Social platform to express his discontent. He lamented that Judge Murphy’s order has postponed the deportation of individuals he labeled as “the most violent criminals on Earth,” claiming the judicial system is “absolutely out of control.”
According to the White House, the identified migrants include two from Myanmar, two Cubans, one Vietnamese, one Laotian, one Mexican, and one South Sudanese citizen. The government insists that those slated for expulsion had sufficient warning, despite claims from lawyers representing some migrants, who argued their clients were informed only shortly before the flight or just hours before.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security clarified that South Sudan was not the final destination for the migrants, highlighting some inconsistencies in the narrative surrounding this case.
In summary, eight migrants deported from the U.S. to South Sudan are currently detained in Djibouti due to a court ruling questioning the legality of their expulsion process. The ruling indicates inadequate notice for the migrants to appeal their deportations and recognizes their potential fears of mistreatment in South Sudan. The situation has ignited a contentious debate over legal procedures and the treatment of migrants with violent criminal histories. The outcome remains uncertain as legal arguments unfold.
Original Source: www.thehindu.com
