A federal judge in Boston has slammed the U.S. government’s secret deportation of eight immigrants, said to be ‘hardened criminals’ to South Sudan without giving them a fair chance to fight their removal.
Some of them have been convicted of rape, murder or armed robbery, according to U.S. media reports.
On April 30, U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy learned that these men were told just a few hours before being shoved onto a private jet bound for Juba, South Sudan’s capital. “They had no real opportunity to speak with a lawyer or explain why they feared for their safety,” Murphy said. His earlier court order required the government to pause any deportations until each person could get legal help.
At a news briefing, Todd Lyons, the acting head of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), called the eight “dangerous criminals” and said their home countries had refused to take them back. But only one of the eight was actually a South Sudanese citizen. The rest had no ties to South Sudan in any way.
Murphy was stunned as he warned ICE that pushing people onto a plane without following the court’s rules could lead to contempt charges against top officials. He also demanded to know exactly where these ‘hardenede criminals’ were being held and in what conditions following the secret deportation.
Meanwhile, South Sudanese police say they never received the group. Major General James Enoka told reporters, “We have not registered any new arrivals. If any non-citizens show up, we will send them to their correct country.”
Immigration lawyers cheered the judge’s decision. Attorney Maria Lopez, who represents some detained migrants, said, “Even people with criminal convictions deserve their day in court. Rushing them onto a plane is both cruel and illegal,” according to AP news.
This case highlights a growing clash between the Trump administration’s tough immigration policies and the courts’ duty to protect basic legal rights. Judge Murphy’s ruling makes clear: no matter how serious the crimes, everyone must get a fair chance to speak up before being sent to a country where they fear danger.
With Agency reports.
