Federal Judge Rules Trump Administration Violated Court Order on Third-Country Deportations

A federal judge ruled that the Trump administration violated a court order by deporting eight migrants to South Sudan without providing them a meaningful opportunity to object or consult lawyers, given only about 12 to 17 hours' notice before their removal. The judge emphasized that the short notice and timing effectively denied the detainees the chance to challenge their deportations to a country known for ethnic violence, food shortages, and ongoing conflict. Homeland Security officials refused to confirm the flight's destination but acknowledged the migrants were convicted of serious violent crimes and could not be returned to their home countries, which included Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam, and South Sudan. The administration defended its actions by claiming prior opportunities for the migrants to express fears and argued that 24 hours' notice was sufficient, attributing any misunderstanding to the judge's order. The judge is considering whether to hold administration officials in criminal contempt and plans to establish a required notice period longer than 24 hours for such deportations. The case highlights tensions between immigration enforcement and judicial oversight, with government officials accusing the court of interfering with efforts to remove individuals deemed national security threats.