In a move drawing sharp criticism from legal experts and rights advocates, the United States has forcibly deported eight men convicted of violent crimes to South Sudan, even though only one of them holds citizenship in the country.
The deportation, which had faced temporary legal halts, was completed this week following a green light from the U.S. Supreme Court. The men, convicted of offenses including murder, rape, and armed robbery, were removed after completing or nearing the end of their sentences in the U.S.
Their original deportation flight, which departed in May, was unexpectedly rerouted to Djibouti after a federal judge blocked the transfer, citing violations of due process and lack of asylum access. However, the Supreme Court overturned that ruling last week, stripping the lower court of jurisdiction and allowing U.S. immigration authorities to proceed.
Photographs released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) show the men shackled during the flight, raising concerns over their treatment and safety upon arrival. It remains unclear how the South Sudanese government is handling the arrivals, especially as the country remains plagued by armed conflict, kidnappings, and civil unrest.
Only one of the deportees is a confirmed South Sudanese citizen. The others are nationals of Cuba, Mexico, Laos, Vietnam, and Myanmar—countries that had declined to accept their return, according to DHS sources.
The U.S. decision to deport non-citizens to a volatile region has been slammed as dangerous and legally questionable. The move signals a growing trend under the Trump administration’s immigration strategy, where third countries are used as holding grounds for individuals who cannot be repatriated elsewhere.
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DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin defended the action, saying it was a triumph over judicial overreach. “Activist judges” have tried to stop us, but this deportation was a victory for the rule of law,” she said.
Despite the ruling, legal experts warn that the deportations set a dangerous precedent for stateless removals and could violate international law. Critics argue that offloading convicted criminals to unstable countries without proper documentation or citizenship ties may increase the risk of human rights abuses and worsen regional insecurity.
The U.S. had previously floated countries such as El Salvador, Costa Rica, Rwanda, Benin, Equatorial Guinea, and Moldova as alternatives for similar deportations. This latest move confirms South Sudan’s addition to that list, despite State Department warnings against travel to the war-torn nation.
Earlier this year, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also revoked all visas issued to South Sudanese nationals in retaliation for the country’s refusal to accept deportees.
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