A recent court ruling has placed a group of migrants, who were deported from the United States, in Djibouti as they await further proceedings. This decision comes in light of the Trump administration’s actions.
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The U.S. government has stated that these eight migrants, hailing from various countries, were expelled due to previous convictions for violent crimes. On Tuesday, they embarked on a flight destined for South Sudan instead of their home countries, as the U.S. was unable to secure the necessary approval from those nations for their return.
Currently, the migrants are in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Djibouti, which is home to a significant U.S. military base. It’s worth noting that South Sudan, a nation grappling with severe economic and political instability, is under a travel advisory from the U.S. State Department.
In a recent ruling, Judge Murphy emphasized the importance of due process, stating that the migrants should be provided adequate notice and at least ten days to appeal their deportation, in accordance with the United Nations Convention Against Torture. He further noted that six of the migrants have the right to express, with legal assistance, their fears of torture or ill-treatment in the third country. Even if DHS finds their fears to be unfounded, they must nonetheless allow a minimum of 15 days for an appeal related to the expulsion process.
In response, former President Trump took to his Truth Social platform to voice his frustration with Judge Murphy’s ruling, declaring, “He has ordered that EIGHT of the most violent criminals on Earth curtail their journey to South Sudan, and instead remain in Djibouti.” He further criticized the judiciary, claiming that the courts are “absolutely out of control.”
While the administration asserts that those facing deportation were adequately notified, lawyers representing two of the individuals involved argued in court filings that their clients were only informed the night before or on the day of the flight.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security clarified that South Sudan is not considered the “final destination” for these migrants. Meanwhile, the government is making efforts to clarify the timeline regarding the flight that transported the deportees from the U.S., which reportedly made a stop at Shannon Airport this week. The New York Times has reported that the flight remained at Shannon for approximately two hours before proceeding to Djibouti.
In a statement issued last night, the Department of Foreign Affairs highlighted that, according to Article 5 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation, both Ireland and the U.S. are entitled to operate “non-scheduled overflights and stops for non-traffic purposes (e.g., refuelling) in the territory of the other contracting parties.” This provision is also enshrined in Irish law under Article 3 of the Air Services Authorization Order of 1993.
Trina Realmuto, Executive Director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance in Massachusetts, expressed her surprise upon learning that the migrants had departed the U.S. when she discovered reports of their plane landing in Shannon Airport. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, she added, “I’m unaware of what Ireland knew about this plane and who was on this plane.” Realmuto remains hopeful about the potential for these migrants to be returned to the U.S.
In conclusion, the situation is ongoing, and developments are being closely monitored as the rights of these migrants come into focus during legal proceedings.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
