U.S. Supreme Court allows fast deportations to third countries to move forward temporarily

The U.S. Supreme Court has allowed the administration of President Donald Trump to keep deporting people to countries other than their own for now. The high court will hear arguments on this policy in December. This decision by an apparent 6-3 vote pauses an appeals court ruling that had stated migrants must get a meaningful chance to object before being sent to places where they have no ties.

Details

Federal attorneys noted that the earlier lower-court decision forced the cancellation of a deportation flight carrying about 70 people to three countries. The justices had previously allowed these flights to keep going temporarily when the case came before them last year. Under various secret agreements, the Trump administration has deported around 25,000 people to more than two dozen countries, such as Liberia and Guyana, though the vast majority go to Mexico.

Arguments

Federal attorneys explained that individuals with final deportation orders are sent to third countries when they cannot go back to their homelands or when native countries refuse to take them back, including people with criminal convictions. They added that destination governments promise people will not face torture or persecution. On the other side, attorneys for the immigrants said some migrants have ended up imprisoned in unfamiliar countries, face severe safety risks, and have no choice except to return to the home countries they fled. They also noted that many have no criminal records and face risks of torture or persecution.

Context

These legal battles happen during a major immigration crackdown by the Trump administration, which has promised to deport millions of people living in the United States illegally. The Supreme Court's decision keeps the controversial deportation practice active while the legal questions surrounding it move toward a full hearing later in the year.