A federal judge recently paused the deportation of eight immigrants to South Sudan, a country currently facing significant turmoil. However, two judges eventually permitted the Trump administration to proceed with the deportations after the Supreme Court cleared the way.
The legal proceedings took an unusual turn on the Fourth of July when District Judge Randolph Moss temporarily halted the deportations while examining an appeal from the immigrants’ attorneys. After an afternoon session, he concluded that the matter was better suited for federal judge Brian Murphy in Boston, who had previously blocked the deportations.
On Friday evening, Judge Murphy stated that he had no choice but to follow the Supreme Court’s directive. He explained that the court’s previous orders were binding on the new petition, leading him to deny the request from the immigrants’ lawyers.
The Trump administration had long aimed to deport these individuals, who are not originally from South Sudan. This nation is currently engulfed in civil conflict, and the U.S. government has advised against travel there. The administration had transported the immigrants to a U.S. naval base in Djibouti, where they awaited resolution of their case. However, Judge Murphy’s ruling had initially prevented their relocation.
Last month, the Supreme Court annulled that blocking decision and issued a new order, indicating that relocation to South Sudan was permissible. The immigrants originate from various countries, including Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, and Vietnam, and their attorneys submitted an emergency request to halt their deportation, which ultimately did not succeed.
