Recent reports indicate that the US has deported two Asian nationals to South Sudan, despite a court order requiring that migrants be allowed to contest their removals. Lawyers from the National Immigration Litigation Alliance express outrage over the situation, highlighting the dangerous conditions in South Sudan and the violations of legal rights.
US Migrants Deported to South Sudan Amid Legal Controversy
US Migrants Deported to South Sudan Amid Legal Controversy
Immigration attorneys allege illegal deportations of Asian migrants, sparking legal challenges and raising concerns over safety in South Sudan.
The recent deportation of two Asian migrants to South Sudan by the US government has ignited a firestorm of legal challenges and concerns regarding human rights. Attorneys representing the migrants, including individuals from Myanmar and Vietnam, informed a federal judge in Boston that a flight arrived in South Sudan on Tuesday carrying a dozen deported individuals, despite existing court rulings that prohibit such actions without providing a "meaningful opportunity" for migrants to contest their removal.
In April, Judge Brian Murphy had ruled that immigrants facing deportation to countries other than their homelands should be adequately given the chance to challenge their removal. This ruling came to the forefront after claims emerged that some migrants were earmarked for deportation to Libya, which the judge deemed a violation of the law.
The attorneys revealed that one of their clients from Myanmar, who has limited English proficiency and did not consent to his removal, was abruptly deported. Upon discovering that her client was no longer listed as a detainee in the Texas immigration center, his attorney inquired about his whereabouts and learned that he had been sent to South Sudan.
Reports suggest that a Vietnamese man also faced a similar fate, with claims that both men were on the same flight. The spouse of the Vietnamese national reached out for assistance, stating that a group of about ten individuals, originating from various countries including Laos, Thailand, and Mexico, had been deported in this operation.
The US government's travel advisory highlights the dangers associated with South Sudan, advising citizens against travel due to prevailing issues of crime and armed conflicts. Having gained its independence in 2011, South Sudan has been marred by turmoil, including a violent civil war.
As the legal battle unfolds, attorneys are calling for immediate action to prevent further deportations, emphasizing the risks these individuals face upon their return to one of the world's most precarious nations.
