A federal judge in Boston issued a scathing rebuke on Wednesday after the U.S. government deported eight immigrants—convicted of violent crimes—to South Sudan in what he called a clear violation of a standing court order. Judge Brian E. Murphy said the deportees were not given a meaningful chance to contest their removal to a third country, particularly one considered unsafe by the U.S. State Department.
During an emergency hearing, Murphy thought that the department’s actions in this case were unquestionably in violation of this court’s order. The flight reportedly took off just hours after the migrants were informed of their destination—without adequate time to contact legal counsel or raise claims of fear.
Government Cites National Security Risks
Officials with the Department of Homeland Security defended the deportations, describing the eight men as actual national security threats. At a press conference in Washington, ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said the men had been convicted of crimes including rape, homicide, and armed robbery. Behind him, photos of the deportees were displayed to the press.
Lyons emphasized his standby stating that these individuals represent a serious risk to public safety. He added that the men could not be returned to their home countries—including Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Mexico, and Myanmar—because those nations either refused repatriation or posed additional legal challenges.
Administration Blames ‘Activist Judges’
Just before the court hearing, administration officials doubled down, accusing the judiciary of shielding criminals. A DHS spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, said President Trump and Secretary Noem are working tirelessly to keep Americans safe. Meanwhile, activist judges fight to bring these monsters back into our communities.
The administration has made aggressive deportation a cornerstone of its immigration policy, even amid pushback from legal advocacy groups and ongoing lawsuits.
Advocates Call for Accountability and Transparency
Immigration rights attorneys condemned the government’s actions, saying deportees were denied basic due process. Trina Realmuto of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance spoke up in defense that deportees were not given proper notice, not in a language they understood, and they have no meaningful opportunity to assert fear claims.
Realmuto asked the judge to order the return of the migrants, calling the current legal posture a logistical nightmare. She emphasized the challenge of providing legal assistance and interpretation services to people in unknown overseas locations.
South Sudan Denies Receiving Deportees
Adding to the confusion, South Sudanese authorities said they were unaware of recent arrivals—police spokesperson Maj. Gen. James Monday Enoka told the Associated Press that if non-citizens arrived, they would be investigated and potentially deported again. Local civil society leaders questioned why South Sudan—still recovering from civil conflict—would be used as a deportation destination.
What’s Next? U.S. Continues to Use Third Countries for Deportations
Due to the refusal from some countries to accept deportees, the U.S. has struck controversial deals to send people to other nations, including Panama and El Salvador. In one recent case, Venezuelan migrants were deported to a Salvadoran prison under a wartime-era statute—another move currently being contested in court.
South Sudan has been marked by instability since gaining independence in 2011. The U.S. State Department’s 2024 human rights report cites widespread abuses, including arbitrary killings and violence based on gender and identity. Despite this, U.S. officials have pushed ahead with removals, citing national security as justification.
Murphy has now ordered the government to conduct new interviews with the deportees, provided they can find a suitable and secure location. However, he stopped short of ordering their return. DHS has yet to confirm their exact whereabouts.
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