File photo of a judge
The United States‘ supreme court has backed a President Donald Trump policy permitting the deportation of migrants to third countries — even to those facing conflict — instead of returning them to their home nations.
Monday’s ruling reversed an order from Brian Murphy, a high court judge, who decided in April that migrants must have a chance to argue that deportation to a third country would put them in danger.
The court, through a 6-3 vote, offered no explanation for the decision.
But the three opposing judges criticised their colleagues in a fiery opinion.
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“Apparently, the court finds the idea that thousands will suffer violence in far-flung locales more palatable than the remote possibility that a district court exceeded its remedial powers when it ordered the government to provide notice and process to which the plaintiffs are constitutionally and statutorily entitled,” Sonia Sotomayor, one of the justices, wrote.
“That use of discretion is as incomprehensible as it is inexcusable.”
Elena Kagan and Ketanji Jackson — the other judges — also called it a “gross abuse”.
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The case involved eight migrants from Myanmar, South Sudan, Cuba, Mexico, Laos, and Vietnam, who were deported in May on a plane said to be heading for South Sudan.
The migrants were said to have been convicted of “violent crimes”.
However, the supreme court’s ruling was unsigned. This permits the Trump administration to continue the policy while the legal challenge moves through the lower courts.
Kristi Noem, secretary of the department of homeland security, posted an image of the court’s decision alongside a GIF of Trump dancing on X.
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Trump has filed more than a dozen emergency appeals at the supreme court and most of them — including several on immigration — have been successful.
The high courts have not been so accommodating.
