US Deports Eight to South Sudan After Legal Challenges
The United States has deported eight individuals to South Sudan, concluding a protracted legal dispute that initially led to their diversion to Djibouti.
Details of the Deportees
The group included only one South Sudanese national; the others were citizens of Myanmar, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, and Mexico. These individuals had been convicted of serious offenses such as murder, sexual assault, and robbery, and had either completed or were nearing the end of their prison terms.
US Policy on Deportations
US officials stated that their respective home countries largely refused to accept their return. The Trump administration has actively sought to broaden deportation agreements to third-party countries, having already sent individuals to El Salvador and Costa Rica. Discussions have taken place with Rwanda, and Benin, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, and Moldova have also been identified as potential recipients.
South Sudan's Response
The South Sudanese government's actions and plans concerning the deportees remain unclear. Edmund Yakani, a civil society leader in Juba, briefly observed the group, noting they were held in a civilian facility under police and national security supervision and appeared to be in reasonable condition. Their legal status remains uncertain.
Legal Rulings
The deportations proceeded after the Supreme Court overturned a previous ruling that mandated due process hearings for migrants being deported to third countries. The Department of Homeland Security characterized the deportation as a victory against judicial overreach. Earlier in the year, the US revoked visas for South Sudanese passport holders due to the country's prior refusal to accept deported nationals.
