On Wednesday, May 21, Judge Brian E. Murphy held an emergency hearing in Boston following the deportation of eight individuals with criminal convictions for serious offenses on a flight associated with South Sudan, in violation of court-approved procedures. The deportation violated a court order that prohibits removals to third countries without allowing immigrants a meaningful chance to object, a rule the government ignored by sending migrants shortly after notice.
Murphy warned that anyone participating in an unlawful deportation could face criminal contempt charges and indicated he would pursue a carefully limited remedy to address this violation.
Migrants originating from several nations — including Cuba, Southeast Asian countries, Mexico and South Sudan — were deported on short notice without access to legal counsel, while South Sudan has denied receiving any of these individuals amid its ongoing internal conflict.
The ruling challenges the administration’s immigration crackdown and highlights risks to migrant safety amid tense deportation policies and South Sudan’s unstable conditions.
