Archive · 1 Jun 2025
US Under Fire for Secretive Deportation of Green Card Holders
The US government is sending green card holders with criminal records to South Sudan, a dangerous place, without telling them ahead of time.
Some were told they were going to other countries.
Lawyers are angry because the people didn't have enough time to fight the move.
A judge said the government has to give people more time and information.
The government is fighting this in the highest court, the Supreme Court, which will decide if this is okay.
The people being deported are stuck in a holding area in Djibouti while they wait.
The US is facing criticism for secretly deporting green card holders to South Sudan instead of their originally intended destinations.
Deportees, including those with roots in Mexico, Cuba, Burma, and Laos, were rerouted to South Sudan after being told they were going elsewhere.
Legal challenges were immediately filed, citing lack of notice and due process violations in the hurried deportations.
A federal judge ruled deportees deserve 15 days and information in their native language to challenge removals to unfamiliar countries.
The Supreme Court is considering the case after the Biden administration challenged the judge's ruling.
- Who
- The US government (ICE), green card holders with criminal histories, and legal representatives.
- What
- Secretive deportation of green card holders to South Sudan after they were originally told to be deported to another country.
- When
- Recent events, with the Supreme Court expected to consider the matter by June 4.
- Where
- Djibouti, South Sudan
- Why
- The Biden administration states deportations to third countries is a necessary public safety measure when home countries refuse to accept individuals.
Immigrant Rights Advocates
Biden Administration/ICE
Justification for Third-Country Deportations
Immigrant Rights Advocates
Deporting people to countries they have no connection to, with little notice and limited recourse, violates due process and is a dangerous shift.
Biden Administration/ICE
Deportations to third countries are a necessary public safety measure when home countries refuse to accept individuals with criminal histories.
Judicial Oversight of Deportations
Immigrant Rights Advocates
Detainees deserve adequate time and information to challenge removals, especially to potentially dangerous countries.
Biden Administration/ICE
The judiciary is overstepping into foreign policy and immigration enforcement by delaying removals.
- Deportation Target Country
- South Sudan
- Initial Destination
- Vietnam, South Africa, and other countries
- Legal Challenge
- Due process violations; lack of notice
- Judge's Ruling
- 15 days and information in native language for deportees
- Current Status
- Detained in Djibouti pending Supreme Court decision