The Supreme Court has cleared the way for the Trump administration to deport eight convicted migrants, including those facing violent-crime convictions, to South Sudan and other third countries.
At a Glance
- On June 23, 2025, the Supreme Court ruled 6–3 to lift a lower court injunction blocking rapid deportations to third countries.
- The order concerns eight migrants held at a U.S. base in Djibouti, one of whom is South Sudanese.
- Dissenting justices warned the men could face “torture or death” in war-torn South Sudan.
- The Trump administration praised the decision, citing its role in removing “violent individuals.”
- The case underscores a broader clash over executive authority and migrants’ due-process rights.
Supreme Court Backs Swift Deportations
In a forceful move, the conservative majority ruled that a prior injunction—requiring notice and opportunity to contest deportation—be lifted, enabling immediate action. The decision affects eight convicted migrants detained at a U.S. base in Djibouti, including individuals guilty of serious violent offenses, who will now be deported to South Sudan. The ruling follows months of litigation and is detailed by Time.
Liberal Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson issued a sharp dissent, calling the decision a “gross abuse of discretion” that breaks from precedent and exposes vulnerable individuals to grave danger, as reported by The Daily Beast.
Watch a report: US Supreme Court Greenlights Trump’s Controversial Deportations!
Legal and Humanity Fault Lines
The Trump administration emphasized that the decision enables removal of “the worst of the worst.” Solicitor General Sauer defended the policy as targeting violent offenders with exhausted appeals, citing bilateral third-country agreements. But human rights advocates warned that South Sudan remains mired in instability and conflict, making deportations ethically fraught and potentially unlawful under international norms, according to The Guardian.
The ruling also intensifies a broader standoff between federal courts and the executive branch over immigration enforcement. In recent months, Trump-era policies have faced judicial pushback—yet this decision signals a shift toward consolidated executive discretion, as noted by the Wall Street Journal.
What Comes Next
The Supreme Court’s order only lifts the injunction; the underlying legal challenge remains in the First Circuit. However, the Department of Homeland Security has reportedly prepared “deportation flights” and will begin removals within days unless emergency relief is granted. Further litigation is expected, focusing on due-process violations and conditions in the receiving countries, as covered by the New York Post.
The outcome could redefine the balance of powers over immigration—and the limits of humanitarian protections—in the years ahead.
