Migrants Stranded in Djibouti Amid South Sudan’s Refusal

By Balaleti On May 25, 2025

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A recent court ruling has temporarily stranded eight deported migrants from the United States in Djibouti, instead of their intended destination, South Sudan. This unexpected development has sparked frustration within the Trump administration, highlighting the ongoing complexities of deportation protocols.

The individuals, hailing from diverse nations, were deported largely due to past convictions involving violent offenses. Have these past actions overshadowed their chance for a new beginning? Without the necessary permissions for repatriation from their home countries, U.S. authorities rerouted the group to South Sudan on a flight earlier this week.

Now, they find themselves under the watch of U.S. Department of Homeland Security officials in Djibouti, a nation synonymous with strategic military significance for the U.S.

U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy, based in Boston, delivered a striking ruling. He pointed out a significant oversight by the Trump administration: the migrants hadn’t been given adequate time to contest their deportation—what some might call a “breach of fairness.” Murphy’s order underscores the crucial need for at least ten days of notice, adhering to the United Nations Convention Against Torture.

“Justice delayed is justice denied,” is an adage, yet here, Murphy seemed to counter it directly, demanding expediency in granting fundamental rights.

The ruling added another layer, particularly for six of the migrants, granting them the right, with legal aid, to assert their fear of torture or maltreatment in South Sudan. Should these concerns be dismissed as unfounded, a further 15 days must be offered for appeals. Does this offer a lifeline to the migrants? Or merely extend their uncertainty?

Responding to this judicial intervention, former President Trump took to his platform, Truth Social, criticizing the decision. “These are eight of the most dangerous individuals,” he claimed, expressing dismay that they were paused in Djibouti rather than continuing to their proposed endpoint.

The administration identified the deported individuals: two from Myanmar, two Cubans, along with citizens from Vietnam, Laos, Mexico, and South Sudan. While authorities asserted that there was ample notice regarding the expulsion, legal representatives for some migrants reported that notification came alarmingly late—creating waves of anxiety and uncertainty.

A spokesperson for Homeland Security clarified that South Sudan wasn’t intended to be the group’s final refuge. But where does that leave them? A rhetorical pause in their journey or part of a larger unresolved narrative?

Donald Trump South Sudan Truth Social United Nations