world 18 September 2026 Daily Monitor (Uganda)
US Appeals Court Blocks Trump-Era Policy on Third-Country Migrant Deportations
A U.S. federal appeals court has largely upheld a lower court's decision, rejecting a Trump administration policy that allowed for the rapid deportation of migrants to third countries without addressing safety concerns. The ruling is a significant victory for migrant rights advocates, though the administration is expected to appeal. Source: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/world/us-appeals-court-rejects-trump-policy-allowing-swift-deportations-to-third-countries-5600806
A significant legal challenge has emerged against a controversial policy implemented during the Trump administration, which permitted the swift deportation of migrants to countries other than their own. On Friday, the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston largely affirmed a previous ruling that deemed the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) policy unlawful.
The policy in question allowed for the deportation of individuals facing removal orders to third countries, even if those countries had no prior connection to the migrant. This was often done with minimal notice and without a thorough review of potential safety risks in the destination country. Advocates argued that this practice violated migrants’ due process rights and could lead to them being sent to potentially dangerous situations.
Under this policy, the administration reportedly sent over 25,000 migrants to at least 29 different countries, frequently utilizing Mexico as a transit point. The DHS maintained that if migrants expressed fear of returning to their home countries, they could be sent elsewhere based on diplomatic assurances that they would not face persecution or torture.
However, the appeals court panel, including judges appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents, found that the policy failed to provide migrants with a meaningful opportunity to raise safety concerns before deportation. The court’s decision emphasizes the importance of due process and protections against persecution, suggesting that these fundamental rights cannot be circumvented by such deportation practices.
While this ruling marks a setback for the policy, the Department of Homeland Security has indicated that the policy remains in effect as the case is likely headed for further appeals, potentially reaching the Supreme Court. The administration has previously succeeded in having preliminary injunctions lifted, allowing for some third-country deportations to proceed.
Source: Daily Monitor (Uganda)