Judge Slams Trump Administration for Violating Deportation Order

A U.S. federal judge ruled the government violated a court order by attempting to deport six migrants to South Sudan without adequate notice, intensifying tensions between the judiciary and President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

Judge Brian Murphy said the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defied his April injunction, which required officials to give migrants a chance to voice safety concerns before being deported to a third country. DHS gave less than 24 hours' notice before loading the migrants onto a plane—deemed “plainly insufficient” by Murphy, who mandated a 10-day notice period moving forward.

The six deportees, from countries including Cuba, Laos, and Myanmar, had been convicted of serious crimes. Still, immigrant rights groups argue that deporting them to war-torn South Sudan without due process violates constitutional protections.

The Biden-appointed judge criticized the DHS for ignoring court directives and warned of possible criminal contempt charges. Despite pressure, Murphy allowed the DHS to keep the migrants abroad for now but required 72-hour interview notice and 15 days to appeal if deportation fears are dismissed.

The White House called Murphy a "far-left activist judge," and DHS described his ruling as "deranged," sparking backlash. Trump advisor Stephen Miller claimed Murphy endangered personnel by interfering with national security.

This case mirrors other legal clashes, including Judge Boasberg’s paused contempt probe over deported Venezuelans and Judge Xinis’s unresolved case involving a deported Maryland resident.

Advocates argue Trump’s immigration crackdown disregards legal norms, with courts repeatedly stepping in to ensure due process. As South Sudan authorities suggest re-deporting the men, Murphy demanded a declaration explaining how U.S. actions comply with international legal standards.

This ruling underscores the legal limits facing Trump’s renewed deportation push amid broader constitutional debates.