The Trump administration has asked the US Supreme Court to overturn a lower court decision that limits deportations to South Sudan.
The appeal follows a ruling by District Judge Brian Murphy, who barred deportations without giving individuals a meaningful chance to contest removal to third countries.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued that immigration law gives the executive branch broad discretion to deport non-citizens to any country willing to accept them.
The administration warned that Murphy’s injunction hampers sensitive diplomatic, foreign policy, and national security operations.
The case stems from efforts to deport eight men—seven of whom are not South Sudanese nationals—to South Sudan under a third-country agreement.
Murphy’s ruling mandates that deportees be interviewed with lawyers and interpreters present, and be granted time to contest the deportation.
Federal officials criticised the order, claiming it forces them to detain deportees mid-flight in Djibouti, at a military base unfit for holding individuals with criminal records.
The Department of Homeland Security labelled the removals a critical part of a diplomatic and military security mission.
Officials also noted the deportees have serious criminal convictions, including violent and drug-related offences.
This case marks another flashpoint in the broader legal battle over the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.
Trump allies have condemned Judge Murphy as an “activist judge,” accusing him of overstepping judicial bounds in immigration enforcement.
The Supreme Court has yet to announce whether it will hear the appeal.