A U.S. federal court has put the brakes on a policy pushed by the Donald Trump administration to deport immigrants to a third country with which they have no ties.
According to the AP on the 24th (local time), Judge Brian E. Murphy of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts ruled that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) policy of third‑country deportations is unlawful and must be vacated. However, he stayed the effect of the decision for 15 days to allow the government to appeal.
In the opinion, Judge Murphy said immigrants are entitled to "meaningful notice" before being transferred to a third country and have the right to challenge removal, adding that the authorities' policy executes deportations before challenges can be made, nullifying legitimate legal disputes. He added, "A fundamental principle of the Constitution of Korea is that no person in this country may be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process."
The ruling is expected to reignite legal battles over the Trump administration's hard-line immigration policies. Earlier, in June last year, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a majority opinion by its conservative bloc, held that immigration authorities could proceed with expedited removals to third countries, and accordingly allowed flights carrying eight immigrants who were being transferred to South Sudan, a civil war zone with which they had no ties.
Judge Murphy, who was appointed during the Joe Biden administration, also noted in the ruling that the Trump administration repeatedly violated court orders.