Administration renews emergency request on third-country deportations
The Trump administration asked the Supreme Court on Thursday to permit removals of noncitizens to nations not named in their deportation orders. Solicitor General D. John Sauer requested an immediate administrative stay, arguing a lower-court order blocking the practice rests on flawed legal reasoning. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson set a Monday afternoon deadline for the immigrants’ response.
The administration's filing is its third Supreme Court request in this dispute. Solicitor General D. John Sauer contends a district judge's order blocking third-country removals relies on legal reasoning he calls flawed. Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, handling emergency appeals from the First Circuit, gave the immigrants until Monday afternoon to reply.
The case traces to a January executive order and later ICE guidance. Four immigrants with removal orders sued in Massachusetts, fearing transfer to countries not listed in their orders. A judge required notice, a chance to object, and screening for torture risk before such removals.
The outcome could affect noncitizens subject to removal orders who fear torture if sent to certain countries, as well as their lawyers and families. It may shape how quickly DHS can carry out third-country removals and how much notice or review people receive. Courts and immigration agencies could face further litigation over emergency stays and procedural protections.