Judge Orders Trump Admin to Track Deported Immigrants to South Sudan Amid Legal Clash

A federal judge in Massachusetts has thrown a wrench into the Trump administration's deportation plans, ordering officials to keep tabs on immigrants sent to South Sudan. U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy, in a Tuesday night ruling, demanded the government maintain custody of these individuals in case their deportations are deemed unlawful, potentially requiring their return to the U.S.

The decision stems from a legal challenge by attorneys representing immigrants from Myanmar and Vietnam, who argue that deporting their clients to third-party countries like South Sudan violates existing court orders. These orders mandate a 'meaningful opportunity' for migrants to prove that such transfers could endanger their safety. Murphy’s ruling underscores the need for transparency, requiring officials to disclose who’s been deported, when they were informed, and what chance they had to contest the move.

South Sudan, a nation teetering on the edge of civil war with rampant violence and food insecurity, is a questionable destination for deportees. The U.S. has limited third-country deportation agreements, with El Salvador being a primary partner, accepting hundreds of Venezuelan migrants. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has tightened the screws on South Sudan, revoking visas for its citizens due to the country’s failure to promptly accept repatriated nationals.

The Department of Homeland Security has yet to comment, but the court’s order puts the administration on notice: every step must be documented, and every migrant’s fate accounted for. Murphy, appointed by President Joe Biden, has made it clear that bypassing due process won’t fly under his watch.