A federal court in the United States has halted the Trump administration's attempt to send eight men to South Sudan, a country under a US travel advisory due to instability. The men, who include nationals from Myanmar, Cuba, Vietnam, Laos, Mexico, and South Sudan, are now in temporary custody in Djibouti following a court ruling on Wednesday.
US District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston ruled that the administration had violated a prior judicial directive issued in April, which required that anyone deported to a third-party country be given the right to challenge the transfer legally. Murphy criticised the short notice given to the men, calling it 'clearly inadequate'.
The group is being held by the Department of Homeland Security in Djibouti, which hosts a key US military installation. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed on Wednesday that the men would remain there for two weeks.
President Donald Trump responded on Truth Social, expressing dissatisfaction with the ruling. He described the men as 'eight of the most violent criminals on Earth' and claimed that the administration was forced to leave immigration officers in Djibouti to guard them, rather than having them protect US citizens.
Murphy's ruling stipulated that the men must receive at least 15 days' notice to contest their deportation, in line with international human rights standards. Six of the individuals have the right to assert fears of torture or mistreatment in the destination country, with legal representation. Attorneys for two of the men said their clients were informed only the night before or on the day of the scheduled flight.
