In a somewhat unusual situation, eight foreign nationals deported from the United States have finally been deported from the violence-torn country of Djibouti to South Sudan issued visas by the United States due to the ongoing armed conflict there. Their transfer has brought serious concerns about human rights and expulsion policies.
8 Men Deported From the US Finally
Eight men deported from the United States in May have now reached South Sudan, a country facing ongoing violence, armed conflict, and instability. The group included nationals from:
- Cuba
- Laos
- Mexico
- Myanmar
- Vietnam
- South Sudan
These men were initially en route to South Sudan but were diverted to a US military base in Djibouti in Africa after a federal judge raised concerns about their legal rights. At the base, they were reportedly:
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Supreme Court Authorizes Their Removal
The Trump administration’s immigration enforcement actions against these individuals aimed to deport them through a comprehensive anti-immigration strategy. Officials said the men had been convicted of violence in the United States, but the deportation was stuck in legal proceedings until last week, when the US Supreme Court finally allowed their removal. The conservative majority of the court endorsed the theory that immigration officials could send migrants to third countries that were not their purgatory nations. The Boston judge who restrained the deportation eventually conceded that he was powerless to stop it once the Supreme Court took action.
DHS Calls It a Win for the “Rule of Law”
After removing the individuals, DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated: “This was a win for the rule of law, and the safety and security of the American people.”
Human rights advocates, however, are worried about removing people to a country like South Sudan, a country for which the U.S. State Department has travel warnings due to the possibility of kidnapping, crime, and armed violence.
US As Living for Deportation
With several migrants unable to safely be sent back to their original homelands, the US has begun strike agreements with other countries—South Sudan in particular—to shelter deportees. Critics of the policy allege it may subject vulnerable individuals to mortal danger.
This case, which received much media attention, is emblematic of the continuing legal and humanitarian discourse regarding the contingencies of deportation when individuals may face danger in third countries.
