Federal Judge Stops Unsafe Third-Country Deportations

29 Mar at 9:50 am

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Venezuela Resumes Deportation Flights From United States

Federal Judge Stops Unsafe Third-Country Deportations/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting migrants to third countries without letting them contest the decision. The ruling ensures those facing removal have a chance to argue for their safety before being transferred. Immigration advocates call it a crucial human rights win.

Court Blocks Trump’s Deportation of Venezuelans Under 1798 Law — In this photo provided by El Salvador’s presidential press office, prison guards transfer deportees from the U.S., alleged to be Venezuelan gang members, to the Terrorism Confinement Center in Tecoluca, El Salvador, Sunday, March 16, 2025. (El Salvador presidential press office via AP)

Deportation Ruling Quick Looks

Judge halts deportations to third countries without hearing
Ruling ensures right to contest deportation for safety concerns
Applies to migrants with final removal orders
Order remains while legal arguments continue
Biden-appointed Judge Brian E. Murphy issues decision
Lawsuit brought by National Immigration Litigation Alliance
Plaintiffs fear return to countries where they were harmed
Government previously deported migrants to Panama, El Salvador, Mexico
DHS argued delay would hinder immigration enforcement
Temporary ruling seen as legal setback for Trump policy

Federal Judge Stops Unsafe Third-Country Deportations

Deep Look

U.S. Judge Halts Third-Country Deportations Without Safety Hearing

WASHINGTON — A federal judge has temporarily stopped the Trump administration from deporting migrants to third countries without giving them a chance to contest the transfer based on safety concerns. The ruling, issued late Friday by U.S. District Judge Brian E. Murphy, mandates that individuals with final deportation orders must be granted a “meaningful opportunity” to argue against being sent to nations that may endanger them.

The decision strikes at the heart of a controversial Trump-era immigration tactic that involves sending people to countries such as El Salvador, Panama, or Mexico when direct deportation to their home country is deemed unsafe or unfeasible. Immigration advocates have long criticized the policy as a loophole to bypass asylum protections.

Murphy’s order, while temporary, is seen as a significant check on the administration’s ability to sidestep traditional deportation protections. The injunction will remain in place as the court prepares for the next phase of legal arguments.

“This ruling affirms that no one should be sent to harm without the chance to be heard,” said a spokesperson for the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, which filed the lawsuit earlier this week.

The legal challenge, filed in Boston, represents individuals who either have been deported to third countries or fear they soon will be. Among the plaintiffs is a Guatemalan man who was previously raped in Mexico. A U.S. judge ruled he could not safely return to Guatemala, but he was deported to Mexico without a hearing on that alternative destination. He is now reportedly in hiding back in Guatemala.

Another plaintiff, a woman from Honduras, was deemed unsafe to return to her country. But she fears she could be sent to a third country when she appears for her next check-in at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in Dallas.

Homeland Security has not yet issued a comment on the ruling. However, attorneys for the administration argued that halting third-country deportations could interfere with immigration enforcement and the government’s ability to manage backlogs of cases.

Still, Judge Murphy, appointed by President Joe Biden, sided with the plaintiffs. His decision emphasized that due process must be honored — especially in life-and-death matters involving vulnerable individuals.

The ruling brings attention to the broader issue of third-country deportations, which have drawn sharp criticism from international human rights organizations.

Critics argue that many of these “safe third countries” lack proper infrastructure or legal systems to protect incoming migrants, especially those fleeing violence, persecution, or trauma.

While this temporary block does not permanently halt third-country deportations, it sets an important precedent for how courts may handle similar cases in the future. Advocates hope it could lead to a broader reevaluation of deportation protocols under the Trump administration’s ongoing immigration enforcement strategies.