In a startling revelation, immigration lawyers have brought forth claims that the US government has unlawfully deported two Asian nationals to the war-torn country of South Sudan, stirring legal and humanitarian concerns. During a federal court hearing in Boston, attorneys disclosed that a recent flight to South Sudan included several migrants from Myanmar and Vietnam, alongside citizens from other nations such as Laos and Pakistan.
The National Immigration Litigation Alliance has called for emergency judicial intervention following what they termed as a violation of a previous court ruling. This ruling, established by Judge Brian Murphy in April, necessitates that migrants receive a “meaningful opportunity” to contest their deportation to any country other than their homelands. The implications of this ruling are especially critical given South Sudan's designation as one of the most impoverished and unstable countries globally, plagued by ongoing conflict.
The lawyers voiced their concerns that one of the detainees, a Burmese citizen, was removed despite having limited English proficiency and against his will, as he had refused to sign removal documents presented by US immigration officials. An attorney representing the detainee was taken aback when she noticed he was no longer tracked in the Immigration and Customs Enforcement database, leading to inquiries that ultimately revealed his deportation to South Sudan.
Similarly, the plight of another detainee, a Vietnamese man, was highlighted, with reports suggesting that he was also aboard the same flight bound for South Sudan. The gravity of the situation was exacerbated when the wife of the Vietnamese man pleaded with his lawyer for help, expressing her fears for his safety in a country where the US State Department advises against travel due to rampant crime and armed conflict.
This latest development occurs in a backdrop of strenuous debates around immigration policies during the Trump administration, with numerous appeals and legal challenges continuing to surface. As advocates and legal representatives aim to seek justice for these deported individuals, the situation in South Sudan remains a source of profound concern for their families and human rights organizations alike.
